Morocco moves a win away from World Cup final with stunning victory over Portugal
Morocco held on to its one-goal halftime lead on Saturday, defeating Portugal 1-0. The win moves Morocco two wins away from a World Cup trophy.
The Moroccan national team never made it past the round of 16 before this run. The only other time the team made it out of the group stage in its six World Cup appearances was in 1986.
They'll face the winner of England-France on Wednesday.
Whoever Morocco faces may find it hard to score. In five 2022 World Cup matches, Morocco's only goal allowed is an own goal against Canada.
Their defensive hot streak isn't a new phenomenon. In the national team's last nine matches, that goal against Canada is the only goal allowed.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute.
Fans who gathered together to watch in Marrakech roared after the goal.
The celebration reached a crescendo as the match came to an end.
The win was historic. Morocco becomes the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals.
Portugal held a 66 percent to 34 percent advantage in possession in the first half and remained in control in the second half. Portugal finished the match with a 73 percent to 27 percent advantage. Both teams had three shots on goal, but Portugal came up empty on nine corner kicks.
With the 1-0 victory, Morocco won the most important statistic and is two wins away from being not only the talk of the soccer world but on top of it.
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