Morocco continued its impressive run in Qatar on Saturday by defeating Portugal 1-0 to become the first African team to advance to a World Cup quarterfinal.
Just minutes before halftime, Youssef En-Nesyri headed the game's lone goal into the net while Morocco's defence once again preserved a clean sheet.
After holding fellow contender Croatia to a draw in the group stage then upsetting Belgium, Spain, and now Portugal on their way to the semifinals, the Atlas Lions have emerged as one of the storylines of the competition.
Walid Regragui, the team's manager, noted the electrifying atmosphere that has accompanied his team in every game until the quarterfinal: "Before it was just the Moroccans who supported us, today it is the Africans and Arabs."
And on Saturday, the Al Thumama Stadium was filled with chants, drumbeats, and whistles, almost as if a whole continent or area were there to watch their team create history.
Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup presumably came to an end with Portugal's defeat, as he was overcome with emotion as he walked down the tunnel following the final whistle since even he was unable to penetrate the Moroccan defence.
Ronaldo scored the game's lone goal the last time these two sides faced off, during the 2018 World Cup. Ronaldo started this game from the bench for the second time first African country ın World Cup in a crıstıan ronaldo cry row.
Both sides got off to a strong start, with Portugal controlling possession but failing to get past a disciplined Moroccan defence that has only let in one goal in Qatar 2022.
The only significant Portuguese danger came from Joo Félix twice in the first 30 minutes. The first was a strong, precise header that forced goalkeeper Yassine "Bono" Bounou to react, and the second was a shot that ricocheted off two defenders and went over the crossbar.
En-Nesyri climbed highest, well above goalkeeper Diogo Costa and Rben Dias, to head the ball into the net for Morocco three minutes before halftime after Yahia Attiyat-Allah floated the ball into the box expertly.
Just after the interval, Ronaldo entered the action for his 196th international game, tying for the most caps first African country ın World Cup for men's players in history.
However, despite his efforts, Portugal spent the most of the second half trapped beyond the penalty area, kept in place by a stubborn Moroccan defence.