Santos cleared the centre referee after Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes accused him of causing Portugal’s exit
By Kehinde Okeowo
Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, has disagreed with Bruno Fernandes over who to blame for their exit from the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco became the first African nation to qualify for the semi-finals of a World Cup after beating Portugal by a lone goal in a game played at the Al Thumama Stadium, Doha on Saturday afternoon.
The Atlas Lions scored the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute when Youssef En-Nesyri leaped highest to beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the ball and headed it home after an assist from Yahia Attiyat Allah.
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After the game, Fernandes blamed Argentine referee Facundo Tello who is from Argentina, for their loss.
However, Santos does not think the officials made a big difference.
“I don’t think so, I think he could have called for a foul on one or two (more) occasions, but generally speaking, I don’t think so.
“I think we could have done more and we didn’t do so. I don’t think we should blame the referee, it doesn’t make sense,” Santos said after the match.
With the win, Morocco will now play France who beat fellow European, England in a quarter-final match on Sunday, in a semi-final to be played on Wednesday.