World Cup brackets

Morocco were huge underdogs ahead of their game vs. Portugal but became the first African side to advance to the World Cup semifinals.

- Portugal are 1-7-0 (W-L-D) when trailing at half-time at the World Cup. Morocco: Incredibly, a World Cup semifinal against England or France is next on the agenda at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday at 10 p.m. - En-Nesyri's goal was the second headed goal ever scored by Morocco in World Cup history. - Entering the match, Morocco were on a nine-match unbeaten streak in all competitions: the second-longest among teams still in the World Cup. Eight different players have scored for Fernando Santos' team at the World Cup and it was the wrong moment for almost all of them to have an off day. [Youssef En-Nesyri](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/242736/Youssef-En-Nesyri) got the only goal in a dramatic 1-0 win at Al Thumama and denied Portugal what would have been a place in the last four for the first time for 16 years. If this is the last we see of one of history's great players on this stage then it was a very meek way to bow out. We fought for each ball and we are very happy with the win, and it's very important for us and for the future." Morocco struck a huge blow for African and Arab football by becoming the first team to reach a World Cup semifinal. [Bracket](https://www.espn.com/soccer/bracket) [Highlights and notable moments](#highlights) [Best/worst performers](#bestworst)

Kylian Mbappe has helped push France forward -- despite numerous injuries -- with five goals and two assists while Harry Kane's creative forces have made ...

Next up for France is a clash with Morocco as the defending World Cup champs keep their pursuit of back to back titles going. France were pushing to open the game but with England's defense sitting back, Aurelien Tchouameni opened the scoring with a goal from outside the box in the 17th minute. Two of the favorites for the World Cup title squared off in a game that was certainly fit for it.

The Atlas Lions squad won their quarterfinal match and advances in the 2022 World Cup. We break down what's next for them in the semifinals.

They are 0-2-5 against France, playing them to a draw in the 1987 Mediterranean Games and a 2007 international friendly. Morocco has one win in international competition against France and none against England. Morocco has made history at the 2022 World Cup.

The French squad won their quarterfinal match and advances in the 2022 World Cup. We break down what's next for them in the semifinals.

They won the tournament in 1998, lost the final to Italy in penalty kicks in 2006, and beat Croatia in 2018. France leads the series 5-2-0, but this will be their first World Cup match. They lost in the semis in their first three trips, and have won their last three visits.

France earned a 2-1 victory over England on Saturday and a place in Wednesday's semifinal against Morocco.

“Tonight is probably the best fight that we’ve played against a major nation across the period I’ve been in charge,” he said. “There was some singing and dancing,” Giroud said. France then went ahead in the 78th minute when, from a step off the sideline, Griezmann delivered a killer cross. “It reminds me of the mentality we had in 2018, that determination we showed,” Giroud said. “I thought I might get another chance,” he said. Theo Hernández barreled into Mason Mount from behind in the box. With Mbappé dodging challenges, France moved the ball from side to side. The sequence began at the other end of the field. Saka drove a six-yarder wide, and Pickford made a remarkable save on Giroud’s side-volley. “Gradually we are getting stronger and stronger,” Deschamps said. Pickford made a quality save, and Harry Maguire’s header missed by a whisker. “There’s nobody I would have rather had in that situation,” English Coach Gareth Southgate said.

Morocco's 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday made them the first African team to reach the last four of a World Cup.

Until Saturday's Moroccan success, the nearest an African team had been to the last four was in 2010 when Ghana were a last-second penalty away from the semi-finals. Senegal's run to the last eight in South Korea and Japan was all the more impressive given it was their first appearance in a World Cup tournament. Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 had all made strong runs in the tournament but were unable to go beyond the last eight.