En-Nesyri sends Morocco into World Cup semifinals

DOHA - Youssef En-Nesyri scored with a first-half header as Morocco became the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals with a thrilling 1-0 win over Portugal here on Saturday.

The Atlas Lions took the lead on the stroke of halftime when En-Nesyri met Yahia Attiyat Allah's cross with a towering header at the far post.

Portugal dominated possession and had several chances to equalize in the second half, including a gilt-edged opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo in stoppage time.

Morocco were forced to play the last four minutes with 10 men after substitute Walid Cheddira earned his second booking for a bad foul.

The quarterfinal fixture was almost certainly Ronaldo's last appearance in football's showpiece tournament. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star looked a forlorn figure as he walked off the pitch with his head bowed immediately after the final whistle at Al-Thumama stadium.

Ronaldo, who has been capped 195 times and scored a record 118 goals for his country, will be 41 when the next World Cup begins in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Portugal manager Fernando Santos again opted to start with Goncalo Ramos at the head of his attack after the Benfica striker's hat-trick in a 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the round of 16.