Portugal’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2022 after losing to Morocco depressed netizens. Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup withdrawal saddens netizens. Morocco beat Portugal 1-0 on Saturday to become the first African and Arab country to reach the World Cup semi-finals. As this was Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup, fans and followers submitted his photos.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup withdrawal saddens netizens.
The 37-year-old couldn’t contain his sobs and rushed off the field. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the game’s only goal just before halftime at Al-Thumama Stadium to strike a blow against football’s established order and book a semi-final against England or France.
He played later on Saturday. It was one of Morocco’s stronger performances in Qatar, with tenacious defending and canny counters, despite losing crucial defender Nayef Aguerd before the match and his back four companions and captain Romain Saiss early in the second half. Morocco, again boosted by the 44,198-strong audience, went into defensive mode as Portugal attacked.
Yassine Bounou saved Joao Felix’s diving header from a fourth-minute Portugal free kick. Morocco barred passing lanes and frustrated Portuguese attackers. Joao Felix had two more first-half half-chances, but Morocco gained confidence and often counterattacked. Left-back Yahya Attiat-wing Allah’s runs gave Selim Amallah a fantastic chance in the 35th minute, but he missed. Seven minutes later, En-header Nesyri’s over Diogo Costa and Ruben Dias gave Morocco the lead.
Portuguese players surrounded Argentine referee Facundo Tello at the end of the first half, screaming over missed penalty kicks. Jawad El Yamiq touched Hakim Ziyech’s inswinging free-kick four minutes into the second half, but Costa blocked it. Ronaldo’s 51st-minute arrival was welcomed with jeers.
Still, he did infuse new enthusiasm into Portugal, whose hat-trick hero from their 6-1 triumph over Switzerland missed a close-in header in the 58th minute. Bruno Fernandes hit the crossbar five minutes later as Portugal attacked and Morocco retreated. Seven minutes later, Bounou stopped Joao Felix. Walid Cheddira was sent off after earning two yellow cards. His team, with boisterous backing, won a memorable game.
