Morocco vs Portugal: Tears For Ronaldo As 10-man Morocco Knocks Portugal Out Of World Cup

“We are the team that everyone loves in this World Cup because we are showing the world you can succeed even if you don’t have as much talent and money,” he explained. “It is no miracle.” Many of you will say it is, especially in Europe, but we have beaten Belgium, Spain, and Portugal without conceding. We have made our people, our continent, and so many people around the world proud. When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa.”

Portugal committed the fatal error against Regragui’s well-drilled team by allowing Morocco to score first. The first half had gone well for them, with the outstanding Sofyan Amrabat, a potential Liverpool target, lying deep in front of the backline.

The Moroccan goal five minutes before halftime elicited the loudest cheer of the World Cup thus far.

There were just about 400 Portugal fans in the 45,000-strong throng. It was a lofty, optimistic cross from Yahia Attiyat Allah, and there will be questions about the indecision between the defenders and the sometimes erratic goalie, Diogo Costa.

But Youssef En-Nesyri of Sevilla perfectly timed his jump, raised aloft by a continent cheering him on, to fire a thunderous header home.

The crowd was in raptures every time Portugal touched the ball, providing the Moroccans with the perfect platform to launch, they’re tried and tested gameplan of defending their lives.

Fernando Santos, the head coach of Portugal, walked back and forth in the technical room, chewing his finger and becoming more irritated.

“I have no regrets,” he declared of his choice to start Ronaldo on the bench. After 51 minutes, the 37-year-old was introduced, but he was met by the horrifying sound of 40,000 Moroccans whistling in the stands.

The high-pitched noise is this tournament’s vuvuzela, and it is the one drawback to witnessing the team’s incredible success.

But, with his ears ringing, Ronaldo never truly threatened, and former United teammate Bruno Fernandes was over himself at his team’s woes, gesticulating most frantically at his own errors.

He was enraged when one spectacular shot was deflected and then appeared to be weeping like Ronaldo after missing a late free kick.

Santos returns to Portugal on Sunday, his future uncertain. He acknowledged he would meet with the head of the national federation, but added he had yet to make a decision.

“Of course our players are distressed,” he added. “We are even more upset because we know we have highly skilled players and expected to bring more joy to the Portuguese people.” We could not do so, which is why we are sad. “Now all our players are upset for not being able to win the match.”

Despite swaths of empty seats and fans reporting tumultuous events outside the stadium, Moroccan fans on the field created a raucous atmosphere from the outset.

The squad, boosted by the fans, was so focused during the 90 minutes that their game plan was executed flawlessly.

Even after being down to 10 players during injury time, they stayed as a unit. Amrabat was a tough-tackling ball carrier in the mold of Patrick Viera.

It’s no surprise that Liverpool is keeping a close eye on him. Morocco had entered a state of trance and exited the Al Thumama Stadium with a warning for their semi-final opponents.

“Football is the best sport in the world; you can believe and dream, and it is a big message for the world, and now I think the world is with Morocco,” Regragui added, before concluding: “Inshallah.”