The quarterfinals of the soccer World Cup produce great stories, winners and sufferers. The international press comments between intoxication and hangover.
The semi-finalists at the World Cup in Qatar have been determined. After Croatia against Brazil and Argentina against the Netherlands, Morocco beat Portugal and France against England. The international media write:
Le Matin: “The Lions of the Atlas circumnavigated a historic cap on Saturday, beating Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldos in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and rising to the semi-finals of the glorious Cup, for the first time in their history and that of the African and Arab world football. In every corner of the African continent, the Arab and the Islamic world, the lions had millions of supporters behind them.”
L’opinion: “Unbelievable but true, Morocco beat Portugal and rush towards the semi-finals. With this victory, Morocco reaches the last square and marks the history of world football for all time.”
Yabiladi: “The Atlas lions continue to rewrite the history of Moroccan, Arab and African football. With an impenetrable defense, the lions defended their goal without respite until the final moments of that meeting at Al-Thumama stadium.”
A Bola: “Wines, Portugal. Tears of Portugal. The national team are eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo embodied the pain of a country that thought it could become world champion.”
Record: “Sad end. From deep sleep to ultimate despair.”
Público: “Portugal say goodbye to the World Cup. Is this the end of an era in the Seleção?”
Diário de Notícias: “Bye World Cup – Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco and Ronaldo shed tears. And now, Fernando Santos?”
BBC: “A brutal ending. Losing the Three Lions feels even more painful.”
Daily Mirror: “England always have an excuse for losing the World Cup, but losing to France is no shame.”
Daily Star: “It’s not coming home.”
The Sun: “Harry’s Pain. Brave Harry Kane fights back tears after England are knocked out of the World Cup by France.”
Daily Mail: “How could Gareth Soutgate leave this England team now? He will be heartbroken but the Three Lions have gone from circus act to top footballing nation in his tenure.”
Guardian: “Anyone would have bet their house and yard on Harry Kane. (…) He’s fighting back tears.”
RMC: “The Bleus are suffering but are in the semis against Morocco. The dream goes on. France qualify for the semis thanks to a saving goal from Olivier Giroud and several saves from Hugo Lloris.”
Le Monde: “In the first big test at this World Cup, the French team wins in the quarter-finals – not without suffering. On Wednesday, France will play against Morocco for a place in the final.”
L’Équipe: “Crunchissime! How lucky. At the end of a game that was exciting until the end, the French threw England out. On Wednesday they meet Morocco, the biggest sensation of this World Cup.”