Morocco took their fairytale story one step further as they became the first African side to reach the last four of the Qatar World Cup after edging Portugal 1-0 in the third quarter-final, at Al Thumama Stadium Saturday.
With the result, Cristiano Ronaldo, who started on the bench again and couldn't put up any impact after coming on early in the second half, have to end his World Cup dream here, as the 37-year old was playing his last edition.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the all-important goal in the 43rd minute, beating Portuguese keeper Diogo Costa as the Moroccan crowd that outnumbered that of Portugal inside and outside the stadium went mad.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos made just one change to the starting line-up that hammered Switzerland the other day, bringing in Ruben Neves in midfield for William Carvalho.
On the other hand, Morocco manager Walid Regragui brought Jawad El Yamiq and Yahia Attiyat Allah in place of the injured Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui.
The European side took early charge of the ball and were concentrating on possession, while the Atlas Lions kept pressing, and tried to utilize the loose balls.
The North Africans earned their first corner in the sixth minute, a curving delivery reaching Sevilla's En-Nesyri who jumped and tried to head the ball at the far post, but eventually it went over the bar.
Joao Felix got a wonderful chance at the half hour mark from a poor defensive header from Yamiq and hit towards the goal from the edge of the penalty area.
A deflection from the defender sent Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou wrongfooted, but went narrowly wide.
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Morocco started to show dominance and confidence and in the 36th minute Sofiane Boufal attempted from distance but his effort got weaker after being partially blocked by a defender, and went straight to Costa.
The moment of glory came on the stroke of the first half when En-Nesyri headed his country ahead in their first ever quarter-final, after some poor work by the opponent.
Yahia sent a cross into the Portugal penalty area and Diogo Jota hesitated his claim for the ball and was beaten in the air.
En-Nesyri took a massive leap to head past the hapless Costa.
Portugal, trailing by one goal, returned to the field in the second half and made some quick changes five minutes later sending on Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo for Neves and Raphael Guerreiro.
Ronaldo was quick into action, sending a cross into the Morocco penalty area but that was grabbed easily by Bounou.
Portugal kept pressing and searching for the equalizer but Morocco, like the previous matches in this tournament, defended with their bodies on line.
In the 63rd minute, Bruno Fernandes got an opportunity on the edge of the box and took a touch before firing just over the bar.
There was some late drama in the third minute of time added on as Moroccan substitute Walid Cheddira was sent off after receiving two bookings in as many minutes, but Regragui's men held on for Africa's first ever semi berth.