Morocco shocked Portugal 1-0 in the Al Thumama Stadium to advance to the FIFA World Cup semifinals, becoming the first African team to do so.

These World Cup finals have a history of having tight, cautious first halves, with neither team eager to take chances. This game was no exception, with Morocco displaying tremendous positional discipline to neutralize Portugal's numerous creative threats. Since Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui were both injured, Walid Regragui was forced to make changes to the defense that had only allowed one goal in their previous eight games.

Substitute center-back Before halftime, Jawad El Yamiq was summoned into action and vitally diverted Joo Félix's shot wide of the goal, and it was an intervention that would be rewarded. The Atlas Lions took control of the game and pulled ahead as halftime approached after successfully stopping Portugal for the majority of the first half. When Yahia Attiyat Allah crossed the ball, Diogo Costa misread it and missed it, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to tower over him and nod the ball into the empty net.

To get back into the game, Fernando Santos' team would now need to get past the best backline in the competition. Bruno Fernandes came close with a spectacular effort that looped over Yassine Bounou, but the crossbar stopped him. However, with few other options for attack, Santos turned to his captain and introduced Cristiano Ronaldo for his 196th international appearance for men's football, tying a world record.

Fernandes, a Manchester United midfielder, continued to show why he is Portugal's most dangerous attacker even with Ronaldo on the field by nearly missing the crossbar with a thunderous effort from the edge of the box. However, the danger was only momentary since a great Moroccan rearguard absolutely crushed a team that had appeared so fluid in their devastation of Switzerland.

Bounou was always ready to step up and play the hero, producing a fantastic save to stop Félix as time ran out whenever a gap could be exploited.

The Atlas Lions' tenacious defense, encouraged on by a raucous crowd, helped them achieve history by becoming the first Arab country and qualifier from the CAF area to go to the World Cup semifinals, setting up another exciting matchup with either France or England.With Portugal as their most recent victim.

Portugal have now failed to advance past the semifinals for four straight finals appearances. The Euro 2016 champions are entering a new era as seasoned players Ronaldo and Pepe approach the end of their careers.

For now: all of Africa dream as the Atlas Lions hoist aloft the African dream like Rafiki lifting Simba as the next lion king!