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Morocco provided another big World Cup upset on Saturday by eliminating Portugal to reach the semifinals in Qatar.
Walid Regragui’s men became the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the competition after valiantly defending to a 1-0 win against Fernando Santos’ side at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and striker Youssef El-Nesyri were excellent for Morocco, while Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the field in tears at the final whistle, and Diogo Costa, who scored the goal, struggled.
Down, sports mailMATT BARLOW gives his players’ ratings and MAX MATHEWS offers his assessment of each performance.
Morocco gave the surprise of the World Cup by beating Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinals
Atlas Lions goalscorer Youssef En-Nesyri was terrific as his team advanced to the last four.
But the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo was left crying after the defeat. Sportsmail’s MATT BARLOW then rates his players and MAX MATHEWS provides an evaluation of each performance.
Portugal (4-3-3)
Diogo Costa – 5
At just 23 years old, Costa is the future of the Portuguese goal. But he may not be the present. Rui Patricio, 34, hasn’t done much wrong, and Costa will regret his unfortunate goal posting that allowed En-Nesyri to head in the only goal of the match.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Perhaps surprisingly chosen ahead of Manchester City star Joao Cancelo at right-back, Dalot was strangely subdued throughout. He didn’t really approach winger Sofiane Boufal in defense or bother Moroccan left-back Yahia Attiyat-Allah in attack.
Pepe – 6
Surely an ignominious exit for the last time from a World Cup. The 39-year-old was solid enough on defense, but made some silly fouls and missed a sitter late on. The constant histrionics and shouting at the referee do not give him credit.
Young goalkeeper Diogo Costa was at fault for En-Nesyri’s goal, leaving the net unprotected
It will surely be an ignominious exit from the World Cup for the last time for defender Pepe, 39.
Ruben Days – 6
He didn’t stand out and generally did his job well, apart from a moment of indecision that contributed to the only goal of the game, not challenging En-Nesyri in the air. However, that may have been due to getting yelled at by Costa, to be fair.
Raphael Guerrero – 6
Calmer than his previous appearances, but he was up against a fierce competitor in Hakimi. Replaced shortly after the break.
Octavian – 6
His only notable contributions to the cause were theatrically falling to try and win free throws. He didn’t get as involved as he could or should have.
Ruben Neves – 6
A few strong early tackles set the tone for a physical encounter, but his playmaking skills were limited and he was sacrificed for Ronaldo in the 51st minute.
An embarrassing dive from Bruno Fernandes (above) mars the midfielder’s performance
Bernardo Silva – 6
He provided his trademark performance of all the action, but couldn’t live up to his astronomically high standards. He will be disappointed.
Bruno Fernandez – 6
He looked like the player most likely to create something for Portugal, with a Marco van Basten-style diving volley hitting the bar. But he overcooked several passes and dove into the penalty area when he could have finished. A mixed bag.
Joao Felix – 6.5
He was in and out of the game, but hit Bono’s palms with several ferocious shots. She can create something out of nothing but needs more consistency to complement his clear gifts.
Goncalo Ramos – 5
He had a start, a header in the second half, and missed it. The cruelty of Switzerland’s beating left him.
Outstanding striker Ronaldo missed a one-on-one and this will surely be his last World Cup
SUBSTITUTES
Cristiano Ronaldo (for Neves, 51min) – 5.5
Oh, Christian. He had a one-on-one, direct shot at the near post, easily saved by Bono. His tears will eventually grace the back page of every newspaper on Sunday. His powers are waning and there’s nothing he can do about it.
I wonder if he regrets that interview with Piers Morgan. It hasn’t been good to him since then.
Joao Cancelo (by Guerrero, 51min) – 5
He had a flashy moment of skill after coming in, but squandered it by wasting time before putting in his cross.
Rafael Leao (for Ramos, 69min) – 6
He provided an instant impact and perhaps Portugal should have given him more time to turn things around. His magnificent cross was about to allow Pepe to score the tie.
Vitinha (for Octavio, 69mins) – 5.5
A disappointing cameo from Vitinha, who never got into the rhythm of the match.
Ricardo Horta (by Dalot, 79min)
Unused Subs: Patrick, Sa; Palhinha, André Silva, Carvalho, Mario, Nunes, Antonio Silva.
MANAGER
fernando santos-5
Ramos over Ronaldo was the right call (again), but Diogo Dalot didn’t repay his faith in the right-back. He took too long to make changes and was outmaneuvered by the manager opposite him.
Morocco (4-3-3)
Yassine Bounou – 8
He was the best goalkeeper in LaLiga last year, and he showed it. Not always orthodox, but very often effective. Some clutch savings when he counted.
Achraf Hakimi – 8
Potentially the star man for the Atlas Lions. He was brilliant again, physically and tactically, and as the emotional heartbeat of the team. An absolute attack express train when in full flow but without the defensive vulnerabilities that often come with it.
Jawad El-Jamiq – 8.5
The 30-year-old Real Valladolid centre-back will never have played a bigger game in his career after replacing West Ham’s injured Nayef Aguerd. He bravely faced all threats.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a great save for Ronaldo and was excellent throughout
Romain Saiss – 7
He fought heroically despite obviously taking a punch from the last match. He will miss his leadership if he can’t make it to the semifinal.
Yahia Attiyat-Allah – 7.5
Another defender to step in, this time for Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui, and impress. He was a tiger and relentless in his defensive work and delivered a high, curly cross that saw En-Nesyri equalize.
Azzedine Ounahi – 7
Ounahi was everywhere. He patrolled box to box with threat, showing steel and silk in midfield. It seemed that there were two of him on the field, and he dwarfed the most illustrious opponents of his.
Sofia Amrabat – 7
He patrolled the defense tirelessly and it’s clear why several of Europe’s top teams are interested. He almost shadowed his teammate Ounahi in terms of performance.
Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi (left) outshone his more illustrious opponents on Saturday
Selim Amallah – 6.5
A competent performance in midfield, doing a selfless job to help the team function in attack, defense and transition. Replaced just after the hour.
Hakim Ziech – 6.5
He displayed several charming and elegant touches, but he didn’t assert himself in the game as much as his talents would suggest. However, he is an important part of the side and he is unbeatable for the semifinal.
Youssef En-Nesyri – 8
He leaped like an electrified salmon to land a headbutt that sent his country into ecstasy. Whatever happens, he will always be remembered for that goal.
Sofiane Boufal – 7.5
The former Southampton player was strong, skilled and determined. A constant threat to Dalot and a constant outlet for his side.
En-Nesyri leapt like a salmon to send home a header that sent his country into ecstasy.
SUBSTITUTES
Achraf Dari (for Saiss, 57 minutes) – 7
He entered the best defense of the tournament without problems.
Walid Cheddira (for En-Nesyri, 65 minutes) – 5
His cameo was marred by a (slightly harsh) red card for two bookings in two minutes. The semifinal will be lost.
Badr Benoun (by Amallah, 65 minutes) – 6
He sorted things out in the back and helped watch the game.
Zakaria Aboukhlal (for Ziyech, 82 minutes)
Yahya Jabrane (for Boufal, 82 minutes)
Unused Subs: Mohamedi, Tagnaouti; Hamdallah, Zaroury, Sabiri, Chair, Ezzalzouli, El Khannouss.
MANAGER
Walid Regragui – 8
The 47-year-old is now the name on every football fan’s lips after masterminding what seemed impossible. His Morocco team is so, so hard to beat. Can they reach the final? He is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Manager Walid Regragui is the name on everyone’s lips after devising the impossible