Morocco have entrenched themselves in World Cup history, and Portugal have crashed out in controversial, unceremonious fashion.
The conversation following Morocco’s 1-0 defeat of Portugal in the quarterfinals will inevitably center on Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not included in the starting lineup for the second straight game, whose international career is likely finished and, if that is indeed the case, has now gone his entire Portugal career without scoring a goal in the World Cup knockout stage.
In truth, though, if this World Cup ends up being Lionel Messi’s last great victory, it is also the moment where the pomp and circumstance of Ronaldo came to a final, grueling end. From the interview with Piers Morgan on the tournament’s eve, to his release from Manchester United, to his attempt in the group stage to take credit on a Bruno Fernandes goal, the last few weeks have been nothing but cringe.
If he does indeed end up playing in Saudi Arabia, as reports have suggested, Ronaldo will end up finishing his career away from the spotlight he so obviously adores. As for this game, though, Ronaldo’s impact after coming on at 51 minutes was almost predictably minimal. Portugal managed to get on the attack, but its talisman could not come up with the sort of moment that Messi provided for Argentina less than 24 hours earlier.
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The most threatening shot came not from Ronaldo but João Félix, whose 81st minute shot seemed destined to curl into the top corner before Moroccan keeper Yassine Bonunu got a hand to it. Ronaldo was denied by Bonunu in the 91st minute after a cutting through ball sprung him on the counterattack, Pepe glanced a 97th minute header just wide of the post and Portugal could not come up with an equalizer through eight long minutes of stoppage time.
As it has been all tournament, Morocco was stout in defense and unforgiving on the counterattack. Youssef En-Nesryi scored the eventual winner on 42 minutes, a leaping header over keeper Diogo Costa.
Improbably, that set up Morocco to become the first African side to advance as far as a World Cup semifinal. It will face either England or France on Wednesday afternoon.
