World Cup: Reaction to Morocco's historic win over Portugal

Amazement from the Moroccan fans, they can not believe it! The noise in this stadium is incredible, I'm trying to think of when such a shock as this has happened in the World Cup.

They deserve it, not only for the skill and effort but that noise just keeps on turning up!

Morocco winger Sofiane Boufal, speaking to French TV channel TF1: "It's crazy. We're living the dream and we don't want to wake up. I have goosebumps.

"Everything we have, we deserve. We work hard. It's not over. There's still the semi-final and god willing, the final."

The three words I’ve heard most from Moroccan fans have been ‘proud’ ‘belief’ and 'confidence'.

They’re proud of their team and believed they could deliver much more than people expected of them.

One fan said this is a moment of confidence that we can stand head to head with the giants.

Tonight one more word to add to Morocco’s track record in this tournament is 'history'.

I met a group of exchange students - from the US, France and Denmark - out and about in Rabat after the game.

They said: “We have finals next week, but we had to make the trip to watch the game in the capital.”

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These are the scenes in Tunis, Tunisia, as a Morocco fan lets off a flare after the match to celebrate the Atlas Lions reaching the semi-finals.

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Morocco head coach Walid Regragui, speaking to French TV channel TF1: "We came up against a really great Portugal team. We're drawing on all we have, we still have guys injured. I told the guys before the match we had to write history for Africa. I'm very, very happy,"

The mood in Lisbon is flat, with bar terraces clearing quickly of punters as rain started to fall, threatening more of the downpours that flooded parts of the city in recent days.

People here feel strong sympathy for Cristiano Ronaldo, after he left the pitch in Qatar in tears. Whatever is said about him abroad, it is almost impossible to find anyone here who will openly criticise their ageing star.

On the team as a whole, one fan was philosophical: “When you lose, you learn something.”

Another, Carlos, said as he finished his beer that he felt “very sad” at Portugal having lost after what he called “an unfair goal” scored by Morocco.

“I think we have a very good team,” he said. “I didn’t expect Morocco to win, but it’s football, so anything can happen. Let’s move on and support another team – maybe England!”

His friend Leis is one of more than 200,000 Brazilians living in Portugal; like many, she had recently transferred her footballing allegiance.

“I was supporting Portugal, after Brazil lost,” she said. ”Now I’m cheering Croatia, so that if we lost, at least it was to the champions.”

In case you're just joining us, we're reflecting on a historic win for Morocco. They're the first team from Africa to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

We're carrying on this page until 18:30 GMT to bring you all the latest reaction from a day to remember for the Atlas Lions.

This is remarkable, totally unexpected.

Try not to forget, Morocco did play some beautiful football as well. Yes they defended, structure and organisation but the skills. When they broke, the beautiful play they played with starting from the midfield.

They made the Portuguese look a bit leaden in comparison. I have to say, they deserve to be there.

Phateema: From Algiers Algeria to Lusaka in Zambia. Party all over Africa, CONGRATULATIONS to Morocco for making Africa proud.

Olawande: Home goes the second Iberian brother, courtesy of Morocco. Beautiful scenes.

Gemino: Thank you to the Atlas Lions of Morocco for making Africa and your country proud at the grandest stage of the World Cup.

It’s deafening here at Al Thumama stadium - the fans are euphoric - Moroccan fans had dreamt of this moment but not many expected that it would actually happen.

Morocco’s side has just become the first Arab and African team to make it to the World Cup semi-finals. The tension was palpable on the pitch and in the stands, with Morroco’s fans chanting ‘seer’ or ‘go ahead’ in Arabic, and roared into a massive cheer as their team scored.

This is a mammoth sporting moment and is the best performance in this team’s history but it goes beyond football . This is a much needed moment of collective joy and pride for a whole region and a continent.

Fans have travelled from across the Arab world to be here in Doha. “Now I can tell my kid I was there when my team made history” one fan told me.

Moroccan fans are celebrating that victory across the world.

Here are the scenes in Nice, Amsterdam and Doha.

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EPACopyright: EPA

EPACopyright: EPA

He gets hammered from time to time but it's worth reminding everyone of Chris Sutton's prediction for this game.

"Morocco are going to find this game a lot harder than stopping Belgium or Spain, but they are super-organised defensively - they have only conceded one goal at this World Cup - and extremely aggressive on the break.

"It worries me that they might be without West Ham United's Nayef Aguerd, who came off injured against Spain and is one of their key defenders.

"But I really want Morocco to go though - their fans are amazing and it would be a sensational story for them to reach the semi-finals.

"My head is telling me Portugal, because they are bubbling with confidence now, but I am a bit of an old romantic - and I am going to follow my heart here."

Sutton's prediction:1-0

Read Chris Sutton's full prediction here.

This is what it means to reach a World Cup semi-final...

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It's a 'Beautiful Day' for Morocco keeper Bono and this photo is just the 'Sweetest Thing'. Lots of 'Pride' among the Morocco fans.

Ok, enough with the U2 puns!

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Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:

"It's really unbelievable, I'm so proud. It's like a dream - unbelievable we're in the semi-final.

"We deserve this, 1000%. How we fight, how we play, with our heart for our country for the people - it's unbelievable. Our spirit, we have injuries, three defenders came in and how they defend, big respect.

"Respect everyone, the coach, the team, the staff.

"It was like we played at home, thank you for all the people."

Five Champions League successes.

Seven league titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

One European Championship.

No World Cup winners' medal.