World Cup: France & Morocco Reach Semis
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Morocco 1
[En-Nesyri 42, Cheddira 90+3 s/o]
Portugal 0
Morocco made history by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final after edging past Portugal in Doha today.
Youssef En-Nesyri, the Morocco forward, scored the winner to end Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s campaign.
En-Nesyri leapt highest above Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa to head home and send the north African’s fans into raptures.
Morocco forward Walid Cheddira was sent off for a second yellow card during added time.
England 1
[Kane 54 pen]
France 2
[Tchouameni 17, Giroud 78]
France, the World Cup holders, reached the semi-final after defeating England in a close-fought encounter.
Harry Kane, the England captain, missed a late penalty after he had converted earlier from the spot to level for England and equal Wayne Rooney’s scoring record for the country.
Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-distance strike in the first half gave France the lead before Kane’s leveller after the break.
France’s winner came from forward Olivier Giroud, who headed in a perfect deep cross from the impressive Antoine Griezmann.
