SoccerBy Jacob Myers on

The best story of the FIFA World Cup lives on.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco, led by a coach appointed to the job in late August, continued their improbable journey in the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 upset over Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal to become the first African team in the tournament’s history to advance to the semifinals.

Youssef En-Nesyri beat two defenders and the goalkeeper to the ball for the winning goal in the 43rd minute — undoubtedly the most memorable moment in Morocco’s soccer history.

Ronaldo started on the bench again for Portugal but nearly had his heroic moment late in the match. On a long pass behind the Moroccan defense, Ronaldo had a golden opportunity in the 91st minute. He beat two Moroccan defenders to the ball for a 1-on-1 chance against goalkeeper Bono, but the backbone of Morocco’s defense came up with his biggest save yet of the tournament.

There was some drama late that gave Portugal an advantage. Morocco forward Walid Cheddira picked up his second yellow card in the 93rd minute after coming into the game as a second-half substitute second half. Portugal had a huge chance in the 97th minute as more players crowded the ‘keeper to push across the tying goal. Portugal defender and captain Pepe was on the end of a great cross to the back post, but he narrowly missed the net.

Portugal was perhaps the most vulnerable quarterfinal favorite, outside of Croatia, who shocked Brazil. However, the Portuguese still had a vaunted attack to go up against the favorites in the tournament. That didn’t matter against Morocco, who has allowed just one goal through five games, which was an own goal against Canada.

It’s been a World Cup of upsets, but Morocco is the clear Cinderella story. Morocco is only the third nation not from UEFA or CONMEBOL — the European and South American soccer federations — to reach the semifinals in men’s World Cup history.

The soccer world feasted on the Atlas Lions’ shining moment ahead of a semifinal match on Wednesday against the winner of France vs. England.

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