Morocco upsets Portugal, France downs England to reach World Cup semifinals

By Steve Douglas, The Associated Press

After eliminating Spain in the round of 16, Morocco stunned the entire Iberian peninsula by defeating Portugal 1-0 in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

The Moroccans made history by becoming the first African nation to advance in the World Cup semifinals. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) shared the record with Morocco as the only four African countries that had qualified for a World Cup quarterfinal.

Morocco will take on France in the semifinals on Dec. 14 after the defending champions defeated England 2-1 in their quarterfinal match.

Montreal-born, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou continued his impressive performance from the round of 16 early on. Bounou was tested in the fourth minute when he denied a Portuguese scoring chance by blocking a header from Joao Felix on a free kick opportunity.

Morocco shocked Portugal by opening the score in the 42nd minute. Yahia Attiyat Allah ballooned a cross from the left flank and Youssef En-Nesyri beat Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa with a header.

In a moment all of Portugal had been waiting for, coach Fernando Santos substituted in Cristiano Ronaldo at the 51st minute. This was Ronaldo’s second straight game starting from the bench.

Bounou frustrated Portugal yet again in their efforts to find an equalizer in the 82nd minute. The goalkeeper made diving save on Felix’s powerful shot towards the far post from the edge of the box.

Moroccan striker Walid Cheddira received a second yellow card three minutes into the eight total minutes stoppage time and was sent off.

Despite the man advantage to end the match, Portugal failed to find the equalizer as Morocco made history.

Read more: Miraculous Morocco: Elation in Montreal as Moroccans shock Portugal 1-0 at World Cup

Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud scored the game-winning goal as France defeated England 2-1 in their quarterfinal.

France drew first blood in the 17th minute. Double-teamed by the English back line atop the box, Aurelien Tchouameni tried his luck with a shot and beat Jordan Pickford to take the lead.

England was awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute when Bukayo Saka was taken down in the box following a one-two play with Jude Bellingham. Harry Kane stepped up to the spot and best his Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris to level the game at 1-1.

With his 53rd goal for England, Kane tied Wayne Rooney as the nation’s all-time top scorer.

Pickford maintained the 1-1 draw by denying Olivier Giroud’s volley shot along the penalty spot and deflected the ball out for a corner kick.

The French striker had the last laugh on the very next play. Griezmann sent a cross inside the six-yard box and Giroud powerfully headed the ball in the back of the net to regain France’s lead.

England won a second penalty after a VAR check in the 82nd minute. The replay confirmed that Theo Hernandez shoved Mason Mount inside the box. Once again, Kane stepped up to the spot but skied the ball over the crossbar and into the stands on his second attempt.

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