Morocco defender Jawad El Yamiq left fans speechless over the “insane moment” he kissed Pepe’s bald head after the Portugal defender missed a potential equaliser.
Walid Regragui’s men were reduced to 10 men after Walid Cheddira was sent off in injury time, but Morocco kept Portugal at bay to secure a stunning 1-0 win.
Morocco, who caused a stunning upset against Spain in the round of 16, came into their quarter-final clash at the Al-Thumama Stadium as the fierce underdogs.
However, Youssef En-Nesyri stunned Portugal in the first half by firing Morocco into the lead on Saturday, putting the 2016 Euro champions on the back foot.
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Portugal defender Pepe came close to grabbing the all-important equaliser in injury time, but he was unable to direct his header at Morocco No 1 Yassine Bounou.
Footage has now emerged of a stunned Pepe with his hands on his head after failing to hit the target, with El Yamiq kissing his bald head in the most bizarre moment of the World Cup so far.
One Twitter user called the El Yamiq and Pepe exchange an “insane moment,” with other fans left equally confused by the Morocco defender’s actions.
“Peak comedy. Moroccans never miss,” one fan said in response to the footage.
Another Twitter user commented: “The way I busted out laughing.”
“This World Cup has been insane, like,” a fan tweeted.
And a fourth fan wrote: “The rest of the world discovering how unserious Moroccans are is hilarious to me.”
While a fifth added: “Genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever seen in football.”
Morocco manager Regragui revealed that he told his players before the match they must “write history for Africa” by beating Portugal and reaching the semi-finals.
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“We came up against a really great Portugal team. We’re drawing on all we have, we still have guys injured,” he told French TV channel TF1.
“I told the guys before the match we had to write history for Africa. I’m very, very happy.”
Morocco will take on the winner of France vs England in the World Cup semi-finals on 14th December at the Al-Bayt Stadium.
Topics: Pepe, Portugal, Football World Cup, Football
Adnan Riaz