Moroccan fans exploded in joy on Saturday as their team became the first from any African or Arab country to reach a World Cup semi-final, filling the stadium with a deafening roar and unleashing cheering, crying, dancing and singing on the streets back home.
"They made us happy and proud and they proved that they can make it to the final. Why not? We are so proud of this team that is supported by Africa and Arabs" said Siham Motahir, a young woman in Rabat where cafes had filled with fans to watch the game.
The 1-0 win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal is Morocco's third over a highly ranked European team in the tournament, a run that had brought delight across the country and widespread support across the African continent and Arab world.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute.
African Union President Macky Sall wrote on Twitter, using capital letters to emphasize his excitement: "HISTORIC! AND FANTASTIC! THE ATLAS LIONS ARE QUALIFIED FOR THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP! BRAVO MOROCCO."
As Moroccan player Jawad El Yamiq circled the pitch with a flag draped around his shoulders, one fan stood motionless, looking out over the pitch with his hands over his mouth as if unable to take in the scale of the win.
But in Rabat, joyful fans thronged the streets, people poured towards the downtown square where Morocco's victories are celebrated.
"The last few minutes felt like hours," Reuters quoted a fan, Samir Saqri, as saying as he joined a crowd pouring out from the cafe where they had watched the game to head downtown.
"Morocco is showing that African teams can compete at a high level," he added.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo, one of soccer’s greatest players, didn't start for the second straight game but came on as a substitute in the 51st minute and missed a chance to equalize in stoppage time.
The five-time world player of the year is set to finish his career without capturing the World Cup or ever getting to the final. He headed right off the field after the final whistle and was crying as he walked down the tunnel.
