A 42nd minute goal scored by forward Raimi En-Nesyri was enough to take Morocco to the semi final of the on-going FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The goal also ended the dream of Ronaldo and his highly rated Portuguese mate from advancing.
En-Nesyri’s headed goal set a stage for a crunchy match with the defending champion, France or England in the semi final.
The Portuguese came from the half time break blazing but the North Africans dug in and also created chances of their own to win the game.
Morocco which ended the match with 10-men, became the first African country to reach the semi final.
Ronaldo came off the bench in the 50th minute to equal the men’s all-time appearance record of 196 in international matches, but he could not drag his side back into the contest.
Morocco, who will face England or France in the last four, were happy to play on the counter and grabbed the opener just before the break when En-Nesyri headed in from Yahya Attiyat-Allah’s cross.
Portugal skipper Bruno Fernandes came agonisingly close to levelling just minutes later but a brilliant individual effort struck the crossbar.
Decimated by injuries, Morocco sat back for the majority of the second half and Yassine Bounou brilliantly tipped over Joao Felix’s drive – the closest they came to an equaliser.
Morocco striker Walid Cheddira was sent off for a second yellow card in eight minutes of additional time but Portugal could not find the equaliser as their last-four hopes were dashed.
