Morocco
Morocco

Image source, Getty Images

Morocco boss Walid Regragui says his side feel the support of all African and Arabic people as they aim to make World Cup history.

The Atlas Lions could be the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

They are also the only majority Islamic nation left in Qatar, the first Arabian country to host the tournament.

"We have Africa behind us and Arabic people," said Regragui. "That's important, but we are playing first for Morocco."

Maher Mezahi
African journalist

Image source, PA Media

Morocco believe that they are 270 minutes from being champions of the world. Maybe it is time that we also believe them.

Coach Walid Regragui represents everything that is right in African football: He's young, competent, cosmopolitan, fearless and a pan-Africanist at heart.

This is your TEN MINUTE warning. The third quarter-final of this World Cup is about to begin. Fireworks light up the night sky. Are we going to have more penalty drama?

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Al Thumama Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

It wasn't just the volume of whistling from the Morocco fans that was impressive whenever Spain had possession in their last-16 match, it was the duration.

The Spanish had the ball for most of the 120 minutes and Morocco did not let up for one moment - surely a whistling world record?

The signs are we are in for more of the same tonight. There were hardly any fans in here when Portugal ran out for their warm-up but they were given the same whistling treatment - and it was extremely loud too.

They will be making a lot more noise when this place is full, because an estimated 80% of the crowd will be behind the African side.

Portugal

Portugal are chasing a first World Cup semi-final appearance since 2006. Their 12 goals in four games inQatar have been scored by eight different players, which is the most different scorers they have had in a World Cup.

Just under 15 minutes to kick-off. It's like a rock concert in the Al Thumama Stadium. Morocco fans are on their feet singing and waving their hands in the air. The headline act is about to take to the stage...

Image source, Rex Features

There are approximately 38 million people living in Morocco. About 37.99 million of them are getting ready to gather around TV sets as the Atlas Lions look to do what no African team has done before - book a place in the semi-finals.

The north African nation will grind to a standstill to see if their side can make history.

The main square in Marrakesh throbbed to the chants of 30,000 fans after the last 16 win over Spain.

"We are expecting a similar or higher number of fans during the game against Portugal," said Abdelmakel El Mansouri, a member of the city council.

Across the country, shops and stalls are doing a roaring trade in flags, national team shirts and T-shirts.

"Looking at how many T-shirts I have sold, I wish the World Cup lasted forever,” said Zouhir Sabir, a shop keeper in the old centre of Rabat.

The price of clothes with national symbols had risen about 30% due to high demand, he said.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Al Thumama Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Portugal fans are going to be heavily outnumbered but you can't say this guy didn't make enough effort with his outfit.

There are actually more of them here than the pockets of Spain supporters who made it to Morocco's last-16 tie - and they are mostly sat together in the middle of the lower tier at one end. That's where they will want the penalty shoot-out, if we make it that far.

The Portugal team has actually just been read out by the stadium announcer, and was predictably met with a cacophony of whistling from the Morocco fans who make up the rest of the stadium... the volume went up when we got to one of the substitutes - can you guess which one?

Van: Portugal have a very good team and now a few young new stars in Goncalo Ramos and Rafael Leao. Portugal look like the new favourites to win it all.

Image source, Getty Images

Maher Mezahi
African journalist

Moroccans poured out into the streets of Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh, and practically every capital city in Western Europe to celebrate the win over Spain.

Even King Mohamed VI joined the jubilant crowds.

After the team danced, hugged and cried in the dressing room, coach Walid Regragui made an extremely important declaration in his post-match press conference.

"At some point in Africa, we have to be ambitious and why not win the World Cup, even if it's going to be hard," he said.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Al Thumama Stadium

There were 18 yellow cards and one red brandished by Mateu Lahoz last night in the 'Skirmish of Lusail' between Argentina and the Netherlands.

Today's referee, Facundo Tello of Argentina, handed out 10 (TEN) red cards in a Trophy of Champions final between Boca Juniors and Racing Club last month.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Al Thumama Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Thousands of Morocco fans have descended on Doha in recent days – and not just from Morocco. They have come from all over the Arab world to see if the Atlas Lions can become the first African side to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

There were plenty of them here in Qatar already, too. I’ve been to two of Morocco’s previous games – their wins against European powerhouses, Belgium and Spain – and each time the stadium was at least 80% full of their (extremely noisy) fans.

They have come to Al Thumama Stadium in huge numbers too, most wearing Morocco shirts but all carrying flags and some wearing fantastic hats for good measure.

Image source, BBC Sport

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on World Football in Qatar podcast

Image source, Reuters

Portugal are exciting. They are devastating in attack. It's amazing to say, but without one of the best players in the world they are slightly better without Cristiano Ronaldo.

If he can get his head right and he can come on as an impact sub, then Portugal could be a phenomenally difficult nut to crack for any team.

Leone Ouedraogo
BBC Africa in Rabat, Morocco

“Here we go, I have blessed them,” says a Rabat local with vuvuzela in hand.

Many people I spoke to in La Medina, an area of Morocco's capital Rabat, kept mentioning, “Dirou niya” which means, “have faith”.

They seem confident their team will be the first from Africa to reach the semi-finals at a football World Cup.

These were the scenes at the Souq Waqif market in Doha a couple of hours ago. It's fair to say Morocco's fans having been waiting a long time for this day.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Jose Fonte
Portugal Euro 2016 winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

Morocco have a great squad, they have the team spirit, energy and the positivity. It'll definitely be a tough game. Portugal expect a very, very difficult game.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Al Thumama Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

A very bling version of Cristiano Ronaldo greets the VIP guests as they arrive for the game - that's obviously not including me by the way, but the media entrance is next door.

'Ronaldo' kindly showed me his very sparkly World Cup trophy, but the smile was quickly wiped off his face - an equally sparkly referee was quickly over to show him a red card.

Will tonight have a happier ending for the real CR7 though?

Image source, BBC Sport

Morocco
Morocco

Image source, Getty Images

It is only three years since Morocco suffered a shock defeat to Benin at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Now they're two wins away from the World Cup final.