DOHA, Qatar Cristiano Ronaldo was inconsolable. As perhaps the final whistle blew on his World Cup career https://www.portugalworldcupshop.com/collections/pedro-neto-jersey, tears streamed down the superstar's defender Achraf Dari tried to put his arm around Ronaldo as he slowly walked toward the tunnel and the locker room. But the 37-year-old Portuguese captain shooed away the 23-year-old and kept in the tunnel, shielded from the raucous Moroccan fans still cheering and celebrating, Ronaldo's face crinkled, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. The tears kept coming. And the cameras caught Cristiano Ronaldo leaves pitch Neymar's dream of winning this World Cup for his home country ended Friday night, so too did Ronaldo's on Saturday. Among the legends in this tournament, only Lionel Messi continues to have hope after a wild Argentina victory in penalty kicks the night was historic for Morocco, which became the first African team to make the World Cup semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday at Al Thumama so, Ronaldo hovered over game began with tense buildup. Moroccan fans outnumbered Portuguese fans by the thousands, and they whistled incessantly throughout the game incredibly distracting sounds that were off the decibel 42 minutes, the Atlas Lions scored. Left back Yahia Attiyat Allah lofted a perfect ball from the left side into the center of the box and Youssef En-Nesyri floated above goalkeeper Diogo Costa to tap the ball into the back of the net with his head. Did Santos regret not starting Ronaldo?"No, " the manager said afterward. "I don't think so. No regrets. No regrets. I think this was a team which played very well against Switzerland. Cristiano is a great player. He came in when we thought that was necessary. So, no, I have no regrets."For the past week, Ronaldo played the role of a good soldier. There were reports earlier this week that he threatened to leave the national team and Qatar after Santos benched him, but Santos later clarified those rumors were not true. And he doesn't think that drama impacted the game."I think if we take two people that were the most upset about this game, perhaps it was Cristiano Ronaldo and myself, " Santos said. "Of course, we are upset. Of course, that affects us. But that's part of the game."Ronaldo remained on the bench to start the second half. He walked down the tunnel after halftime still wearing his yellow substitution pinny https://www.portugalworldcupshop.com/collections/renato-veiga-jersey, speaking with a team trainer and backup goalkeeper Rui Patricio with their hands covering their mouths, so people couldn't read soon as the half began, Ronaldo started warming up on the sideline. His eyes darted from Morocco taking a free kick on one end to the Atlas Lions fan base jumping up and down on the other. He took a deep breath and kept the 51st minute, he was substituted into the match and the stadium erupted it was louder in that moment than during any other point of the night. Perhaps even the Moroccan fans cheered. This was their last moment to watch one of the greatest players of all time to play in a World Cup, even if he was on the other the stage was set for a saves-the-day hero felt like, at least for a few minutes, Ronaldo's on-field presence gave Portugal a jolt. Its attack became more intense and precise, and A Seleo had chances. At one point, Portugal had three straight corner kicks but couldn't convert any of Fernandes had a shot from the top of the box in the 64th minute that went slightly over the goal. The Portuguese midfielder later had a superb cross that goalkeeper Yassine Bounou caught before Ronaldo could head it past him. In the 83rd minute, Felix blasted a shot that would have gone in had Bounou not dived to save hero moment never Ronaldo came THIS CLOSE to tying it 2 p.m. on FOX and the FOX Sports app)."We're becoming the team everyone loves in this World Cup, " Moroccan manager Walid Regragui said. "I think we're the ocky' of this World Cup."Even so, Ronaldo and his tears stole the spotlight, one last was asked afterward if he was worried when Ronaldo was subbed on in the second half."