Semi-finals! Morocco’s World Cup dream continues

Morocco are through to the semi-finals of the World Cup after a 1-0 win over Portugal. The winning goal was scored by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 42nd minute of the game

Morocco's players hail their coach Walid Regragui - Thanassis Stavrakis/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved — Morocco’s players hail their coach Walid Regragui – Thanassis Stavrakis/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved

Portugal put a lot of pressure on the Moroccan defence in the closing stages but it held firm. In the 82nd minute, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a great save to deny Portugal a great chance to score. In stoppage time, Morocco were reduced to a deficit after Walid Cheddira was shown a yellow card.

Never before has an African team reached the final round at the World Cup. Their opponents in the semi-finals next Wednesday will be France. The second semi-final will be contested by Argentina and Croatia.