Breaking: Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday.
DOHA, Qatar — Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of ever winning soccer’s biggest prize.
The five-time world player of the year is set to finish his career without capturing the World Cup or ever getting to the final. He headed right off the field after the final whistle and was crying as he walked down the tunnel.It is a seminal moment in World Cup history, with an African nation finally advancing to the levels typically only reached by European or South American teams. Cameroon , Senegal and Ghana all reached the quarterfinals but got no further.
Morocco’s defense has yet to concede a goal by an opposition player at this year’s World Cup — the only one it has allowed was an own-goal — and it stifled a Portugal team which beat Switzerland 6-1 in the last 16 to thrust itself among the favorites. Ronaldo, who will be 41 by the time of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, had been looking to reach the semifinals for only the second time after 2006.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
World Cup quarterfinals: Morocco seeks another upset against Portugal; England plays France laterThe men’s World Cup quarter-final stage ends as tournament surprise Morocco takes on Portugal followed by England vs. France. CTVNews.ca has all the latest from Saturday's action.
Read more »
WORLD CUP: Cristiano Ronaldo still centre of attention for PortugalThe 37\u002Dyear\u002Dold superstar was parked on the bench for 75 minutes of the 6\u002D1 victory against Switzerland in the previous round
Read more »
Ronaldo, Portugal looks to end Morocco’s World Cup runRonaldo potentially being benched again overshadowing Morocco’s first-ever quarter-final appearance
Read more »
Ronaldo did not threaten to leave World Cup: Portugal coachCristiano Ronaldo did not threaten to leave the World Cup after being dropped from the team to play Switzerland in the round of 16
Read more »
Ronaldo did not threaten to leave World Cup: Portugal coachCristiano Ronaldo did not threaten to leave the World Cup after being dropped from the team to play Switzerland in the round of 16
Read more »