MOROCCO’S extraordinary run in Qatar continued Saturday as the side claimed another massive scalp in beating Portugal 1-0 to become the first African and Arab country to reach the World Cup semifinals.

The Atlas Lions will face France in the semifinals, which defeated England 2-1 in the day’s other match.

Saturday’s victory for Morocco came on top of its win over second-ranked Belgium in the group phase and penalty shootout success against Spain in the last 16.

The game marked a possible end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal career, with the striker reduced to tears as he walked down the tunnel at the end of the game.

Later, Olivier Giroud scored the winner and Harry Kane missed a late penalty at Al Bayt Stadium as holder France beat England 2-1 in a tense World Cup quarterfinal. Aurelien Tchouameni had swept France into a first-half lead only for Kane to equalize from the spot nine minutes into the second half. England was the better side for long stretches of the game at Al Bayt Stadium but, almost from nowhere, France went back in front when Giroud headed home with 11 minutes left.

Kane then blazed his second penalty of the game over the bar as England’s wait to win a first major international trophy since the 1966 World Cup goes on.

France, though, remains on course to become the first side since Brazil 60 years ago to successfully defend the World Cup.

Argentina will take on Croatia in the other semifinal.

(SD-Agencies)