Morocco has made history as the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals as they beat favourite Portugal in a tense match at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s header secured a place for Morocco in the first-half of the match.
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.
Cristiano Ronaldo has likely played his last World Cup match after making an ineffectual appearance as a second-half substitute, failing to score his first knockout-phase goal at the tournament.
Morocco’s goal came in the 42nd minute through En-Nesyri’s header off a cross from left-back Yahya Attiat-Allah, even though Portugal had better ball possession.
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.
The partisan crowd undoubtedly helped the North Africans over the line, although Portugal struggled to create many clear-cut chances as they lost a World Cup quarter-final for the first time.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was sent on early in the second half by coach Fernando Santos but could not rescue the Euro 2016 winners.
Instead, it was another famous day for Morocco, after previous upset wins over Belgium and Spain, on penalties, in Qatar.
Walid Regragui’s men will face England or holders, France, in the semi-finals at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
Morocco will believe they can topple either of those sides, having still only conceded once at this World Cup.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou frustrated many chances that could have changed the game for Portugal.
Morocco, already without injured defenders Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd, were dealt another blow when Saiss was stretchered off.
Portugal started to lay siege to the opposition goal and Fernandes came close to levelling again when he fired narrowly over from the edge of the box.
Morocco were largely keeping Portugal at bay, but Bounou had to be at his best to tip over Felix’s drive with eight minutes remaining.
Eight minutes of injury time were largely spent with Portugal camped in the Morocco half and Ronaldo almost had his moment when his low strike was kept out by Bounou.
Morocco substitute Walid Cheddira was harshly sent off for a second yellow card in the space of two minutes.
