Quarterfinals: Portugal versus Morocco

The quarterfinal game was the next part of Morocco’s dream run. This time they played the tough Portugal, the ninth ranked team, as the number 22. This really did not mean much, though, as Morocco had already upset the number six team, Spain, 0-0 (3-0) in the round of 16. The Moroccans beat a statistically better team once, and now it was time to see if they could do it again. 

Despite Morocco’s unexpected prowess, Portugal still should win. They have the powerhouse Christiano Ronaldo, one of the most talented and famous soccer players in the world.  However, in this game they benched him for Sergio Ramos. An interesting move, but it seemed that Portugal was confident in the win for this game. Morocco had beaten Portugal before in 1986 but lost to them in the last World Cup 0-1. Upsets could have turned out to be Morocco’s order of the day, but Portugal might have paid to get a chance to have the legendary game of Argentina versus Portugal, their drive was so strong. 

The game, like England versus France, was full of chances. In the first half alone there were nearly a dozen attempts made that could have seen a goal scored. Morocco and Portugal traded the ball back and forth all the way until a select chance in the 42nd where Moroccan defenceman Yahia Attiyat Allah chipped in the ball to the box. Youssef En-Nesyri headed it to the ground and it bounced into the goal in a very tactical play that Portuguese goalie Diogo Costa took a huge chance trying to read but failed. In the end, it was Morocco’s game, 1-0. 

Portugal clapped back nearly instantly in the 44th with Bruno Fernandes sending a powerful shot from outside the box that hit the top post and bounced away from the goal. The half ended with another Moroccan breakaway that just crumbled with a super wide left shot. 

Even at the beginning of the second, Ronaldo was still on the bench, and it was slightly confusing because Portugal needed a goal to have a chance of winning. Even without him, Morocco applied more pressure. An early goal gets teams momentum, and Morocco was using their goal in the first half to their advantage as they managed a near goal in the 49th. 

Right after Portugal’s attempt, in the 50th minute, Ronaldo got his chance on the field. Could he equalize this game for Portugal or was it already too late? Even with Ronaldo and with a spurt of pressure on Morocco by the Portuguese defense, Portugal just could not get a goal. There were so many opportunities, but Portugal was either waiting for an “unbeatable shot” or kicking too far away from the goal to make a shot. Their plight continued all the way to the end, when Morocco held the line and prevented Portugal from getting a goal. Another win for Morocco, another upset team, and Ronaldo went home! 

This game was another upset by Morocco! They set a precedent for their future opponents to take note of; they were not messing around at this World Cup. With the weight of all of Africa on their shoulders, Morocco was delivering what their fans wanted: more upsets. It seemed Portugal was playing too lightly instead of taking his game as seriously as one against a more well-established threat. 

Portugal put Ronaldo in relatively late, especially for a star player like him. This could have been the main factor in Portugal’s defeat, or it could have been that Morocco just had more invested in winning this game. With the amount of great chances made by both sides, it was shocking that only one goal was made. The Moroccans put in the work and reaped the reward. Portugal was sent home, and Morocco went on to play France next.