45
16:53
Mid-term conclusion:
Break between Morocco and Portugal, the North Africans lead surprisingly 1-0. The Iberians got off to a better start and after a good quarter of an hour between the 15th and 30th minute the Moroccans had the best opportunity of the game thanks to João Félix’s deflected shot. As the match slowly but surely approached half-time, it was a goalkeeping error from Diogo Costa that En-Nesyri swiftly capitalized on with a header. Just before half-time, referee Tello angered the Selecao, who wanted a penalty – but the whole thing wasn’t worth a penalty. It smells a bit like a second sensation, but there’s still at least 45 minutes to go. See you soon!
45
16:48
Excitement on both sides: First Bruno Fernandes goes down against Hakimi in the penalty area. To the incomprehension of the Manchester United player, there is no penalty. In return, the starting Attiah-Allah is unlocked in the box on the left. His conclusion from a promising position lands far to the left – the ball slipped over his slippers.
45
16:45
Official injury time (minutes): 2
45
16:45
Bar! A Portuguese cross from Bruno Fernandes’ right half-field tumbles over the baffled Bono on the crossbar. Great luck for the goalkeeper.
42
16:42
Tooor for Morocco, 1-0 through Youssef En-Nesyri
En Nesyri puts the Sensations quarterfinalists ahead! Diogo Costa wants to intercept a high cross from Attiat-Allah in the six-yard box. However, En-Nesyri climbs up earlier and nods the leather into the mesh in front of the keeper. A big goalkeeper mistake – and bitter for Portugal too!
39
16:40
A low cross from the left wing finds 14 meters half left in front of the Moroccan box João Félix. But its direct acceptance clearly goes beyond that.
38
16:39
It’s getting a little hotter. Various duels are currently causing a few fouls. But there is still no reason to pull out a yellow card.
35
16:35
The next degree. This time it’s Boufal himself, whose right-footed shot from 18 meters inside the left lands right in the arms of Diogo Costa.
34
16:35
The best option for Morocco! Boufal fits left to Attiat-Allah. His flank in the back room carried Amallah over it from twelve meters. Technically it wasn’t easy to take.
31
16:31
João Felix! The Atlético Madrid striker gets a second ball at his feet. His shot with the outside of his foot from 18 meters from half left lands deflected just above the left post on the gate roof.
29
16:29
After half an hour the draw is okay. Portugal got off to a slightly better start, with Morocco being the stronger team in the final ten minutes.
26
16:27
Now the game calms down for the first time. So far, both teams have been at full throttle – although we are still missing the first top-class player.
23
16:23
Guerreio hits the top five from the left, where Bono and Bruno Fernandes collide in an aerial duel. However, both players can continue without problems.
22
16:22
…the stationary ball leads to another of the same kind. This one does not pose any danger.
21
16:21
Now the lions from Atlas are getting bolder too. After winning the ball deep in the opponent’s half, Ziyech pulls out a corner on the right wing…
18
16:18
Ziyech finds a little too much space on the half-right 20 meters in front of the goal. But his shot from the left is harmless and tumbles wide to the right.
16
16:16
The Portuguese are still struggling from the game. Morocco is defensively very compact. In return, they have to watch out for the underdog’s counterattacks.
13.
16:13
…Bruno Fernandes kicks the standard to the far post, where Rúben Neves’ imaginary header is blocked in the centre. Guerreiro shoots the round from the left again powerfully into the middle, there is a brief commotion. In the end, the Moroccans can clarify.
12.
16:12
The Europeans earn a free-kick in the right halffield…
9.
16:10
There’s a lot of speed in the first few minutes. The Portuguese in particular are looking to strike as early as possible.
6.
16:07
It’s also getting dangerous on the other side: Ziyech kicks a corner from the left up into the centre. En-Nesyri nods over it from a relatively free-standing position of eight meters.
3.
16:05
Bono has to go! The keeper saves a header from João Félix, who headed in from the inside right ten yards out following a free-kick cross on the right. In the near corner, however, Bono is there.
15:43
Meanwhile, the Portuguese want to stop the triumphant march – and logically continue their own. The Iberians advanced to the round of 16 as group winners thanks to two winners (3-2 against Ghana and 2-0 against Uruguay). Even the final bankruptcy against South Korea (1:2) could not change anything. There, for the first time without Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting XI, they not only defeated Switzerland clearly, but also brilliantly (6:1). No wonder coach Fernando Santos sees no reason to order CR7 back into the starting lineup. After all, his replacement Gonçalo Ramos scored three goals against the Swiss…
15:29
Let’s take a look at the path of both teams again. Morocco surprisingly prevailed as group winners against Croatia, Belgium and Canada. Only against the Croatians has there been a point loss (0:0) – the other games have been won (2:0 and 2:1). In the round of 16, there was a huge sensation: against the highly favored Spaniards, they were able to celebrate in a penalty shootout after 120 goalless minutes entering the quarterfinals (3:0). Never before has a Moroccan national team reached such a late stage of the tournament.
15:14
Croatia (4-2 on penalties against Brazil) and Argentina (4-3 on penalties against the Netherlands) have already been confirmed as semi-finalists – now both nations meet in the semi-finals. Now the third team is being sought that can fight for entry into the final. This is determined between two nations that not everyone had in mind – the Moroccans in particular are THE sensation of the tournament. Whichever team prevails: In the semi-finals, a real chunk awaits with France or England.
15:06
Let’s take a look at the lineups. The North Africans have two changes since the round of 16. El-Yamiq and Attiat-Allah replace Mazraoui and Aguerd. In the Portuguese side, Rúben Neves replaced Carvalho in the starting XI compared to last round. That means: Cristiano Ronaldo is once again sitting on the bench at the beginning of the game. Coach Fernando Santos again sees no reason to let the superstar play from the start. Does CR7 taste it?
14:58
Hello and welcome to the third Quarterfinals of the World Championship! Surprise team Morocco meets the 2016 European champions: Portugal. Kick-off is at 4 p.m.