'Morocco on the verge of making history': Fans excited ahead of Portugal quarter-final

Many fans arrive in Doha looking for precious match tickets

Harry Kane of England is consoled by manager Gareth Southgate after their 2-1 defeat to France. Getty

Olivier Giroud, left, celebrates with Adrien Rabiot after scoring France's winner. AP

Jude Bellingham of England reacts to a refereeing decision. Getty

France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates the victory. Getty

Giroud leaps with England defender Harry Maguire. AFP

Mbappe celebrates at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha. AFP

England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is beaten by a header from Giroud to scores. AP

France's Antoine Griezmann, top, and Bellingham battle for the ball. AP

A dejected England fan after the defeat. PA

French players, left to right, Adrien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann and Dayot Upamecano. EPA

Kane missed a penalty late in the game. AP

France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates with Mbappe, left and Griezmann. AFP

Kane is consoled by Pickford and Kieran Trippier. Getty

France players celebrate. They will play Morocco in the semi-finals. AFP

England fans at BOXPARK Wembley in London. PA

Kane celebrates after scoring for England. Getty

England fans at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor for the quarter-final tie against France. PA

Is this the last time we'll see the great Cristiano Ronaldo at a World Cup? At 37, time is against him. He left the pitch in tears after Portugal were dumped out by Morocco. Getty Images

Morocco's players celebrate after another stunning win at the World Cup. AP Photo

Morocco fans celebrate the opening goal against Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium. Getty Images

Youssef En-Nesyri nods Morocco ahead. Getty Images

En-Nesyri, right, scores with a towering header. AP Photo

Morocco fans are preparing for the Atlas Lions' quarter-final against Portugal. Reuters

Fans are gathering inside the stadium. Reuters

Portugal fans are also in fine voice before the match. Reuters

Several Morocco fans have hung a Palestine flag inside the stadium. Reuters

Morocco are the first Arab team to reach a World Cup quarter-final. AP Photo

Fans are hoping their World Cup dreams are still alive by the end of the night. AFP

Morocco are known as the Atlas Lions. AFP

Morocco fans in Souq Waqif in Doha, Qatar. They're hoping to witness their national team secure a spot in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time. PA

The Atlas Lions are preparing for only their second quarter-final tie. Reuters

Morocco fans in Doha, Qatar. PA

Morocco fans in Doha, Qatar. PA

England fans in Souq Waqif. PA

The Three Lions are vying to lift their first World Cup since 1966. AFP

England fans have travelled in large numbers to Doha. Reuters

Morocco fans have travelled from across the region and beyond to support their team, in what is proving to be a historic tournament for the Atlas Lions.

Already the first Arab country to reach a World Cup quarter-final, they could go one step further into the last four if they can find a way past an impressive Portugal side who put six past Switzerland in the last round.

Morocco, however, have already knocked out one European giant in Spain and defeated the world number two side Belgium in their group matches.

Fans gathering near Al Thumama Stadium for Saturday's match were excited at the prospect of going further in the competition.

Kenza Boukrim, 25, and her brother Elias flew in from Chicago and travelled from Morocco to the match with their mother.

“We watched the previous matches on TV. We used to wake up at 4am in US. We are thrilled to be here and watch it live,” said Ms Boukrim.

“They are doing better and they might be the underdogs [to watch out for] in this tournament.

"They surprised everybody as not a lot of people expected that. They brought the whole Arab world together. It’s such a great experience we are having.”

Abdulsalam bin Abduljalil, 71, has been to all of Morocco's matches since the start of the tournament.

“I watched all matches and cheered for them. We will stand with our team until the end. They made us proud,” said Mr Abduljalil who is attending his first World Cup.

“I don’t have a ticket yet for the match against Portugal. I’m ready to pay $1,000 or $1,500 for the ticket.

“We are delighted that Morocco are representing Arab and African countries in the World Cup. We are optimistic about qualifying. It feels different to make such an achievement in the first World Cup in the Middle East.”

Mukhtar Ahmed, 37, travelled from Saudi Arabia to support his team for the Spain match and stayed on for the Portugal game.

“Morocco are on the verge of making history here in Doha. The team has never achieved this in five previous World Cup appearances.

"We like calling ourselves the dark horse of the tournament. We have the best set of players and opportunity in our hands,” he said.

He said the whole nation was behind the team and had faith they could go all the way in this World Cup.

"We will defeat Portugal," Mr Ahmed said.

"I don’t think Ronaldo will start and our coach will know how to deter them.”

Morocco played with passion and determination and had brought smiles to all Arabs, he said.

“Even if we lose, I will still celebrate because they made us proud. We are the only Arab team left and it's thrilling as we saw all the Arab spectators supporting us."

Hassine Mohammed 49, came from Morocco with his wife.

Having sampled the excitement of the Spain game, he was hoping to secure tickets for the quarter-final.

“The match with Spain was amazing and the atmosphere was phenomenal. We hope to defeat Portugal and go all the way to the final,” Mr Mohammed said.

“I’ve been searching for match tickets since yesterday. The tickets on the black market are expensive and cost up to 3,000 riyals [Dh3,000]. I came with my wife and it will cost me a fortune.”