CRISTIANO RONALDO could not hold back the tears as his World Cup dream was wrecked with Portugal's shock exit.
Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals after adding Portugal to their list of prized scalps in Qatar.
Walid Regragui only took over as Morocco boss 81 days before the tournament started, but his unfancied side are just one game away from the World Cup Final.
The African nation have beaten Belgium, Spain and now Portugal, with Regragui comparing his side to boxing movie icon Rocky – played by Sylvester Stallone – for punching above their weight.
Regragui said: “We are the team that everyone loves in this World Cup because we’re showing the world you can succeed, even if you don’t have as much talent and money.
“It’s no miracle. Many of you will say it is, especially in Europe, but we’ve beaten Belgium, Spain and Portugal without conceding a goal.
“We have made our people and our continent proud. When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa – we are the Rocky of the World Cup.”
This story is from the December 11, 2022 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 11, 2022 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Armchair viewers' blank afternoon
TEMPERATURES below freezing wiped out both of the ITV fixtures yesterday leaving viewers without any live racing to watch.
Kyrgios slams Sinner and will not be silenced
NICK KYRGIOS has warned he is not going “to shut up” about Italian hero Jannik Sinner’s failed drug tests in the build-up to the Australian Open.
Will power for Sarries
TOM WILLIS surged over for two tries to give England boss Steve Borthwick another compelling reminder that his Test debut is overdue.
NOW HAAL'S WELL AGAIN AT ETIHAD
THE crisis is officially over and normal service has resumed.
NWANERI ONLY HIGH SPOT FOR GUNNERS
Lacklustre draw deals title hopes fresh blow
Stroke victim meets cops who saved her
A WOMAN who had a cardiac arrest and stroke while driving and miraculously survived has been reunited with the officers who saved her life.
Mum's cash crisis after cancer bills
A MOTHER-of-three whose mouth cancer was missed due to Covid restrictions is now facing eviction after failing to pay bills during her two years of treatment and rehabilitation.
100 'jump dock' at court despite £7m safety drive
MORE than 100 prisoners have escaped custody by jumping out of the dock during the last seven years - despite a government-funded scheme to make courts more secure.
We must teach pupils why Britain is 'Great'
ALMOST from the moment the first child crossed the threshold and entered a classroom, governments, dictators and other political leaders have sought to use education as a means of indoctrination and controlling the population.
Half a billion in pensions to dead people
BUNGLING civil servants overpaid £511.8 million in state pensions and pension credits to dead recipients, and failed to claw back £256.8m of it over the past five years.
