MBC also topped the ratings in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
According to Nielsen Korea, an audience rating research institute, MBC recorded 5.5% viewership ratings for households in the metropolitan area in the 2022 Qatar World Cup quarterfinal match ‘Morocco vs Portugal’ held today (11th), ranking first in viewership ratings. With the highest viewer rating soaring to 8.6%, the national viewership rating was 5.0%, and the 2049 viewership rating, a major indicator in the industry, recorded 2.9%, leading all viewer rating indicators.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco made a new World Cup history and succeeded in advancing to the semifinals. Morocco won 1-0 in the quarterfinals against Portugal, writing a new history by becoming the first African team to advance to the semifinals.
The quarterfinal match between Morocco and Portugal held at the Altumama Stadium today (11th) was a tense match between Morocco, which is challenging for the first time in the semifinals, and Portugal, which is challenging the semifinals for the first time in 16 years. In particular, since world-class striker Cristiano Ronaldo was also on his last World Cup stage, attention was focused on whether Ronaldo would be able to display his offensive power properly by breaking through Morocco’s flawless defense line.
With the start of the first half, Morocco and Portugal were in full force. At the beginning of the game, Portugal took the initiative and launched an attack, but each time it was blocked by Morocco’s strong defense, and Morocco’s counterattack was scary. Eventually, in the 42nd minute of the first half, Morocco’s Youssef En Nesiri’s shot, which led the ball from a cross into a powerful header, cut Portugal’s net and scored the opening goal, leading 1-0. Commentator Ahn Jung-hwan, who was in charge of relaying the match, said, “Nessiri kept trying to make a header, and eventually made it. It was the third goal scored. “It’s really great,” he said. “Morocco’s counterattack is scary. Entering the second half, Portugal will be more aggressive, but they will have to prepare for Morocco’s counterattack. Breaking through Morocco’s tight defense line through passing seems to be an important point for Portugal to solve the game,” he praised Morocco’s defense and foresaw the subsequent game.
Entering the second half, Portugal replaced Ronaldo to strengthen their offense, but Morocco’s defense was solid. The flow of the game was controlled by Portugal from the first half to the second half, but every shot missed, and the goalkeeper guarding Morocco’s goal also defended by blocking all of Portugal’s shots. Particularly in the second half of the game, Morocco’s Shedira was sent off due to accumulated warnings, and Portugal seemed to have a chance, but they failed to break through the defense, and the game ended with Morocco winning 1-0.
MBC commentator Ahn Jung-hwan said, “Morocco’s organizational power was great. The counterattack after the player’s defense was scary. More than anything, it seems that the goalkeeper played more than 30% of the role that Morocco was able to come this far,” he said, congratulating Morocco on the victory of advancing to the semifinals for the first time in the history of an African team.
Lee Ho-young / Source: MBC