Morocco Reaches World Cup Semifinals, Tops Portugal, Ronaldo

Morocco's Youssef En-Nesyri scores his side's first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 10, 2022. Martin Meissner/AP Photo

DOHA, Qatar—Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1–0 on Saturday, Dec. 10, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of ever winning soccer’s biggest prize.

Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East.