Sport

Morocco make history with shock win over Portugal to reach semifinals

Published

4 years ago

December 10, 2022

Morocco have become the first African side to reach a World Cup semifinal after dumping Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo out in the quarterfinals.

Youssef En-Nesyri got the only goal in a dramatic 1-0 win at Al Thumama and denied Portugal what would have been a place in the last four for the first time for 16 years.

Morocco, who had substitute Walid Cheddira sent off late on, set up a semifinal against either France or England at Al-Bayt Stadium on Wednesday, where they will again be supported by a fierce crowd who roared them past Portugal.

Their shock victory at Al Thumama — just days after surprising Spain in the second round — was played out amid an atmosphere of ear-splitting whistles every time Portugal had the ball. And they had a lot — touching 80% possession at different points in the game — but Morocco defended well and, particularly in the first half, made the most of their chances to break quickly.

En-Nesyri’s header just before half-time was helped by a mistake from Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who came for a cross he got nowhere near, but Morocco were so assured on the ball when they had it, they fully deserved their lead when it came.

Morocco ended the game without three of their usual back four on the pitch, but head to the semifinals having conceded just one goal in their five games, and even that was an own goal against Canada.

Meanwhile, Portugal have been both good and bad at this tournament and this was a bad day, although Morocco deserves great credit for making it so hard to create anything of note.

Cristiano Ronaldo, again named on the bench, came on early in the second half to equal FIFA’s official record for the most-capped international men’s player with 196, but even he couldn’t find one last great World Cup moment. If this is the last we see of one of history’s great players on this stage then it was a very meek way to bow out, ESPN reported.

Up next

Morocco: Incredibly, a World Cup semifinal against England or France is next on the agenda at the Al Bayt Stadium on Dec. 14.

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo and his side are out and on the plane home.

Related Topics:#FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 #Semifinals ArianaNews featured Morocco Portugal

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Kunduz football ground to be built with FIFA funding

Published

1 hour ago

September 28, 2026

Ariana News

The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) says a new football ground will be built in central Kunduz with money from FIFA.

The federation said an agreement has been signed between Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports and the AFF, under which 10 jeribs of land in central Kunduz will be allocated to the federation for 25 years for construction of the facility.

According to the AFF, funding provided by FIFA will be used for the project, with construction expected to begin in 2027.

The federation said the new ground will provide better facilities for athletes, allow the province to host football competitions, help identify young talent and support the development of football in Kunduz.

Sport

ACL: Sorkh Poshan Khafi maintain perfect record with 1-0 win over Ariana Khost

Ariana Khost, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Published

2 hours ago

September 28, 2026

Ariana News

Sorkh Poshan Khafi maintained their perfect record in the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Ariana Khost in Kabul on Monday.

Reza Ghulami scored the only goal of the match with a header, securing all three points for the Herat-based side.

The win takes Sorkh Poshan Khafi to 18 points from six matches, keeping them at the top of the league table. They have won all six of their games and remain unbeaten.

Ariana Khost, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Sorkh Poshan Khafi also had the edge in several match statistics, recording five corners to Ariana Khost’s two and 55 percent of shots on target compared with 45 percent for their opponents.

All Afghanistan Champions League matches are being broadcast live and exclusively by Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN).

Sport

Afghanistan vs India Asian Games quarter-final abandoned without a toss

India advanced to the semi-finals because of their higher seeding, which was determined by the ICC T20I team rankings.

Published

5 hours ago

September 28, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan’s Asian Games men’s cricket quarter-final against India was abandoned without a toss on Monday after persistent rain left the outfield at Nisshin unplayable.

The match was called off 16 minutes before the scheduled toss, with no play possible because of the wet conditions.

India advanced to the semi-finals because of their higher seeding, which was determined by the ICC T20I team rankings.

India will face the winner of Tuesday’s quarter-final between Nepal and Sri Lanka in Thursday’s second semi-final.

Sri Lanka, one of the four seeded teams alongside India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, will also advance if its quarter-final against Nepal is washed out.

Earlier on Monday, the first quarter-final between Hong Kong and Pakistan was also abandoned without a toss because of rain.

This outcome marked the second consecutive Asian Games in which Afghanistan’s men’s campaign has ended against India because of rain.

At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Afghanistan won the silver medal after the final against India was abandoned following 18.2 overs of India’s first innings. India, the higher-seeded team, were awarded the gold medal under the tournament rules.