Morocco in the semifinals of the World Cup. From Cameroon to Senegal to Ghana: those failed attempts close to the finish - Football

Morocco in the semifinals of the World Cup.  From Cameroon to Senegal to Ghana: those failed attempts close to the finish - Football


The Morocco made history and at the fourth attempt, for the first time, Africa led a team into the best four of the World. The goal was decisive Portugal from En-Nesyri. These are the three previous attempts. All failed by a hair's breadth.

England-Cameroon 3-2 (Italy '90)

The first quarter ever played by an African national team at the World Cup dates back to 1990. The Cameroon by Roger Milla had beaten Argentina by Maradona on his debut, he closed his group in first place and was overtaken in an eighth by legend, at the San Paolo in Naples, Colombia. In one of the most iconic photographs in the history of the World Cup, relating to that race, the 38-year-old Roger Milla he fled towards the empty goal after stealing the ball from the South American goalkeeper Higuita, who chased him in vain with his long hair and defeat in his gaze. Eight days later, in Naples, it is a challenge between felines: the Indomitable Lions against the English Three Lions. Very hard, very long race, full of upside downs. platt found the lead for England in the first half, but in 4 minutes, from 61' to 65', Cameroon overturned it with a penalty from captain Kundé and a goal from Ekeke. The Mexican referee Codesal, the same one of the highly contested penalty awarded to Germany against Argentina in the final of the Olimpico, whistles one way. With 7 to go, a penalty allows Lineker to equalize. It goes into extra time and Cameroon is beaten by another penalty, scored again by Gary Lineker. Great controversy, English ahead, eternal glory for the Indomitable Lions, who returned home as victors.

Morocco-Portugal, goalkeeper Diogo Costa's mistake on En-Nesyri's goal

by our correspondent Matteo Pinci


Turkey-Senegal 1-0 (Japan-Korea 2002)

12 years will have to pass until the new presence among the best 8 in the world for an African national team. Korea-Japan 2002, in Osaka Turkey and Senegal. Like Cameroon in 1990, Senegal beat reigning world champions France in their first game. Then only draws with Denmark, Uruguay. In the round of 16, a golden goal by Camara against Sweden allows Senegal, coached by the "white sorcerer" Bruno Metsu to reach the “round of eight”. The match against the surprising Turkey is very balanced and is resolved only in the 4th minute of the first overtime with a golden goal by Ilhan Mansiz. After that World Cup, the golden goal rule, one of the most absurd in the history of football, will be abolished.

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Ghana 2-4 Uruguay (after penalties, South Africa 2010)

Cameroon, Senegal, it's true. But the "right time" really seemed to arrive in 2010. The Ghana managed to take Uruguay through to extra time, but had a last minute chance to win, but Adiyiah's header without fail was cleared off the goal line by Suarez. The attacker is sent off, but Asamoah Gyan shoots the penalty of the historic passage of the round on the crossbar. Then Celeste wins on penalties. The controversies will reach up to Qatar 2022, when the two teams have returned to face each other.



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