Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat admits he ‘could never even have dared to dream’ he’d lead Morocco to the World Cup semi-finals.
They already shocked Belgium and Canada, holding Croatia to a draw in the group stage, then eliminated Spain in the Round of 16 on penalties.
This afternoon, an immense leap by Youssef En-Nesyri gave them the only goal of the game against Portugal, so Morocco will now face either France or England in the semi-finals.
“We were not even playing our best football today, but the team spirit is incredible and we conceded zero goals in the tournament. Well, only an own goal,” Amrabat told NOS.
“It was definitely a deserved victory, especially as Portugal had an easy match in the last round, whereas we had to play 120 minutes and go through penalties. My legs were heavy at the start, I could barely move towards the end, but that’s the World Cup, it’s tough.”
Amrabat was born in the Netherlands and initially represented the country of his birth at Under-15 level before switching to Morocco for the Under-17 side.
He has been in Italy since 2019 for Verona and was purchased by Fiorentina for €19.5m in January 2020.
Liverpool have been suggested as the favourites to sign Amrabat, but the Viola have no intention of selling.
Italy is playing in the world, it is disguising as Morocco!