Portugal Out! of World Cup After Losing 0-1 to Morocco in Quarterfinals – Watch Highlights

With the first day of the quarterfinals for the 2022 FIFA World Cup completed, day two began with Morocco playing for a possible historic win over Portugal on Saturday.

Moroccan fans gathered at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, for a chance to witness Morocco become the first Arab and African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals. The Moroccans ranked 22nd in the world, handed Spain a devastating 3-0 penalty defeat in the round of 16, but would need an even more exceptional performance to defeat Portugal, which is ranked 9th.

Portugal veteran Cristiano Ronaldo was excluded from the Portuguese’s starting lineup, and with 66% possession, the former Manchester United player’s team still could not turn their shots into goals. As the first half drew to an end, Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri put his team ahead of the southern European team with a brilliant header in the 42nd minute. The Portuguese scrambled for an equaliser in the two minutes of additional time but left the first half without a goal.

Ronaldo was quickly inserted into Portugal’s second-half lineup in the 53rd minute, and he immediately sought a goal, but his attempt was foiled by the Moroccans. With eight minutes added at the 90-minute mark, Portugal’s first-half scramble repeated itself. But even their more than 70% superior possession of the ball could not break down the Moroccan’s’ superior strategy, organisation, discipline, and defence.

Watch the highlights below.