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In the quarterfinal fixture between Portugal and Morocco, Youssef En-Nesyri gave the Atlas Lions a 1-0 lead with an acrobatic header finish in the 42nd minute. The Moroccans have been on a dream run in the FIFA World Cup 2022 as they defeated Spain in the Round of 16.
Now against the former European Champions, Morocco brought the ball from the left flank where Yahia Attiyat Allah send a looping cross into the Portugal penalty area. Here En-Nesyri took a massive leap to head the ball past the goalkeeper.
Watch the video here:
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been benched for this fixture as well, was shocked by Morocco's early goal. Moroccan striker En-Nesyri took an incredible leap in the air to head the ball over the goalkeeper and found the back of the net, which left even the all-time top international goal scorer amazed.
Ronaldo substituted Ruben Neves in the 51st minute and marked his arrival in style by producing a dangerous-looking cross into the box, which was deflected by the Moroccan goalkeeper. Unfortunately, for Ronaldo and Portugal, this En-Nesyri goal was the difference maker as Morocco registered a 1-0 win.
After the game, the Portuguese coach Fernando Santos was extremely dejected with the result. He talked about how the team had the ability to win the World Cup but now is devastated by what just conspired.
He said, "The locker room is really down. We are devastated. I was sure that with the work and the quality of the players that we could have given the Portuguese people some joy - that we could have made it to the final and won it. That's why I and everyone else is devastated."
