Morocco edge Portugal to create history

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Morocco edge Portugal to create history

Doha: Morocco became the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals as Youssef En-Nesyri's first-half goal sealed a tense 1-0 victory over Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.

The Atlas Lions, also the first Arab team to make the last four, added Portugal to their list of European scalps with a resolute second-half performance.

Morocco took a 42nd minute lead through En-Nesyri's header as they came on strongly late in the first period.

Portugal piled on the pressure after the break but an injury-hit Morocco, without three of their four first-choice defenders once skipper Romain Saiss was forced off, hung on despite being reduced to 10 men in added time.

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Regragui hails amazing Morocco players

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Regragui hails amazing Morocco players

Doha: Morocco head coach Walid Regragui lauded the battling spirit of his injury-hit side after they beat Portugal 1-0 on Saturday to become the first African country ever to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.

Youssef En-Nesyri's header late in the first half sent the Atlas Lions through to a Qatar 2022 last-four showdown with reigning champions France, who defeated England 2-1 in their quarter-final on Saturday.

Atlas Lions' heroics can inspire future 'miracles', says 'keeper Bounou

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Atlas Lions' heroics can inspire future 'miracles', says 'keeper Bounou

Doha: Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou said his team's history-making FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign can show future generations from his country that they can create miracles.

The stopper produced a man-of-the-match display in Morocco's 1-0 win over Portugal on Saturday to take his team to the semi-finals for the first time.

Tearful Ronaldo departs with dream in tatters

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Tearful Ronaldo departs with dream in tatters

Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo left the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in tears on Saturday, walking off down the tunnel with his dreams of winning the trophy in tatters.

Morocco earned a shock 1-0 quarter-final victory over Portugal, the north Africans' joy the stark opposite of Ronaldo's misery.

The Portuguese forward, 37, may never have another chance to win the game's biggest trophy, and his Qatar 2022  exit was especially bitter as he started the game as a substitute.

Giroud savours 'extraordinary' win

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Giroud savours 'extraordinary' win

Al Khor: Olivier Giroud said France had to dig deep into their mental reserves to hold on for a 2-1 victory over England in Saturday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final.

The AC Milan striker's header with 12 minutes to go sent France through to Wednesday's semi-final against Morocco as Harry Kane missed a late penalty, his second of the match.

Kane had levelled from the spot shortly after half-time, cancelling out Aurelien Tchouameni's brilliant long-range effort that gave France the lead on 17 minutes.

Deschamps: Hearts and guts got France through

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Deschamps: Hearts and guts got France through

Al Khor: France coach Didier Deschamps said his side showed "hearts and guts" to defeat England 2-1 on Saturday to reach the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-finals.

Aurelien Tchouameni scored first for the FIFA World Cup holders at Al Bayt Stadium but Harry Kane's penalty brought England level.

After Olivier Giroud's header gave France the lead, Kane wasted a golden chance to equalise when he blasted a penalty over the bar with minutes remaining.

Kane devastated after spot-kick pain

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Kane devastated after spot-kick pain

Al Khor: Harry Kane was left "gutted" on Saturday after missing a crucial penalty in England's 2-1 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final defeat to France.

England skipper Kane blazed an 84th minute spot-kick over the bar that would have levelled the score at 2-2 at the Al Bayt Stadium.

It was another cruel chapter in England's decades-long psychodrama revolving around major tournaments and penalty heartaches.

Kane had earlier made no mistake with another penalty on 54 minutes that saw him equal Wayne Rooney's England goalscoring tally of 53 goals.