It was a Moroccan miracle, a moment in history for African football. Never before in the nine-decade history of the tournament had an African team qualified for the semifinals at a Fifa World Cup.
Enter, the Atlas Lions.
Morocco became the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup after defeating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday.
Fifa World Cup: Morocco down Portugal in QF, become first ever African team to reach semifinal
Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half header secured a historic win for Morocco, who will play defending champions France or England for a place in the final.
Morocco have surpassed the three other African sides to reach the quarter-finals – Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.
Here are some reactions to the famous win (and there is only one place to start):
This time for Africa!! 👏🇲🇦 #WorldCup
— Shakira (@shakira) December 10, 2022
#FifaWorldCup #Qatar2022
— The Field (@thefield_in) December 10, 2022
Full time: #MAR 1-0 #POR.
History. 😲🫡
Incredible, just incredible.https://t.co/VPoNfuDVcz pic.twitter.com/I12gDBQpBT
An exceptional victory from Morocco. Walid Regragui, what an absolute titan.
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) December 10, 2022
A historic pride of Atlas Lions 🦁@EnMaroc | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MU9FMIRaHo
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo first player off the pitch, don’t think he even noticed the pitch invader. Straight down the tunnel in tears. That’s his World Cup dream over. pic.twitter.com/oFHHQC3Oub
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) December 10, 2022
It’s the end for Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup. The Portuguese leaves the pitch in tears on his last appearance ever in the World Cup. 🚨🇵🇹 #Ronaldo #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/fWLC6YN0Wj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 10, 2022
The first African team ever to reach the semi-finals of the #FIFAWorldCup, @EnMaroc 👏🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/zy1cISesYL
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 10, 2022
Walid Regragui has built a machine. Less than three months with this team and he has transformed them into a very lethal team.
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) December 10, 2022
The spirit that they have showcased so far is one that many an African team can learn a thing or two from. pic.twitter.com/jR6y4opZv1
#FIFAWorldCup
— Samreen (@SamreenRazz) December 10, 2022
Yassine Bounou is a gift that keeps on ̶g̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ saving. Just brilliant 👏🏼
Moroccle. #MAR
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 10, 2022
Moments like these. 🥺
— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) December 10, 2022
Sofiane Boufal and Morocco (AND AFRICA) are through to the World Cup semifinals for the FIRST TIME EVER. ⚽🇲🇦@EnMaroc #AtlasLions #DimaMaghrib #MAR @FIFAcom @FIFAWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup
📸: @HewittMike pic.twitter.com/eGjr4si3el
Wow. Sensational victory for Morocco. Gutsy, spirited, organised, calm and deserved. The first African side to reach a World Cup semifinal. Well played. Well f**king played.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 10, 2022
Morocco's #FIFAWorldCup so far. ⚽️
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 10, 2022
Drew Croatia
Beat Belgium
Beat Canada
Beat Spain
Beat Portugal
Haven't conceded a goal from an opposing player
First African country to reach the semifinals. pic.twitter.com/uadG6JW06x
The scene in Marrakesh after Morocco takes a 1-0 lead over Portugal in the quarters! 🇲🇦 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/H5WPFhMEVO
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 10, 2022
Also have to note two semi-finalists from group F, absolutely deserves the name group of death. Canadian Men should feel very confident about the showing in this group 💪🏼
— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) December 10, 2022
𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘! 🦁🇲🇦
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 10, 2022
Morocco become the first African side to reach #FIFAWorldCup semi-finals! 👏
What an achievement by the Atlas Lions! 🤩@EnMaroc pic.twitter.com/yJh5jPE8Na
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Another World Cup ends in tears for Cristiano Ronaldo.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 10, 2022
🎥 @DTathletic pic.twitter.com/OSngx0fT4r
🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/T3HUQ2TlUm
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
Morocco is the first team from Africa to reach the semi finals of the men's World Cup. They are also Arab. They support Palestinian liberation. Their women's program is thriving and qualified for the Women's World Cup.
— Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) December 10, 2022
Football is thriving in North Africa. MachAllah. #MAR
witness history. #MAR #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/6MM9SuLt1s
— Twitter Sports (@TwitterSports) December 10, 2022
A moment in time
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
A moment in history
The FIRST-EVER African nation to reach a #FIFAWorldCup Semi-Finals 🇲🇦❤️ pic.twitter.com/SeAOKngZna