Morocco defended and defended and defended. It waited, unbothered by the famous names and large numbers, until it could spawn a dizzying counterattack. This has happened all throughout this World Cup, propelling the African nation into the quarterfinals, and it happened again in the first half on Saturday.
A lovely header by Youssef En-Nesyri supplied the only goal at Al Thumama Stadium, sending Morocco to a 1-0 lead over a Portugal side that lacked the verve and zest that defined its dominant round-of-16 victory against Switzerland.
The goal came in the 42nd minute, after Morocco absorbed spells of pressure but created little of its own.