First African country to reach World Cup

African teams have developed into a powerful World Cup force since 1990, with changes in the qualification proce s offering a greater chance to showcase their talents on the game's biggest stage.The restructuring of routes to the competition, and the tournament itself from 1986, have boosted the chances of African nations progre sing, with major strides completed in recent years.From Egypt's appearance at the 1938 World Cup in Italy, to Cameroon's memorable quarterfinal run at Italia '90, and on to impre sive recent performances from Senegal and Ghana, perceptions are changing regarding African nations.And thanks to Morocco, history has been made. The Atlas Lions have become the first-ever team from the continent to reach the semifinals of a World Cup.The Atlas Lions have been the undoubted surprise package of Qatar 2022. They came through Nic Dowd Jersey a tricky group that included No.2-ranked side in the world Belgium and 2018 runners-up Croatia.Then, after 120 minutes of action where no goals where scored against Spain in the Round of 16, to send the African side into the quarterfinals against Portugal.And now the spotlight belongs to them, after they won 1-0 to eliminate Alex Ovechkin Jersey Cristiano Ronaldo and book an historic place in the last four of Qatar 2022.MORE: A semifinal place had continued to evade African nations at the World Cup until now, with Ghana's spot-kick lo s to Uruguay in 2010 the closest they had come before.Previous best African performances at World CupCountryStage ReachedEliminated ByYearCameroonQuarterfinalEngland1990SenegalQuarterfinalTurkey2002GhanaQuarterfinalUruguay2010 Morocco's campaign got underway with a 0-0 draw against Croatia before they went on to record a stunning 2-0 win over No.2-ranked side Belgium.That put them firmly in the driving seat to reach the knockout stages. A 2-1 victory over Canada in their final game meant they qualified as winners of Group F to set up a Round of 16 meeting with Spain.Few had Morocco down as likely to progre s any further but after a draining 120 minutes of action where both sides had chances to win it, the game headed to penalties.Goalkeeper became the hero as he saved two of Spain's penalties before Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive spot-kick with a 'Panenka'.Morocco faced Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the quarterfinals after his side thrashed Switzerland 6-1, .HAKIMI WINS IT FOR MOROCCOMOROCCO IS MOVING ON FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) MORE: Morocco's run to the 2022 World Cup semifinalsCameroon famously reached the quarterfinals in 1990, with Senegal and Ghana matching the feat in 2002 and 2010.Cameroon (1990)Cameroon took Italia '90 by storm as the Indomitable Lions topped Group B after beating defending champions Argentina in their opening game.Veteran striker Roger Milla followed up his Ilya Samsonov Jersey two group-stage goals with an extra-time brace in their Round of 16 win over Colombia.Despite mi sing key players through suspension and injury in the last eight, Cameroon produced an iconic performance to take England to extra time in Naples, before Gary Lineker's penalty eventually ended their World Cup journey.31 years since this cla sic quarter-final at Italia 90.Lots to appreciate here:- Brilliant Barry Davies- Fearle s Cameroon- Terry Butcher roaring- Gary Lineker saving the day- Sir Bobby and Gazzas embraceSensational. A Funny Old Game (@sid_lambert) MORE: Senegal (2002)Senegal stunned defending champions France in the opening game of Brett Connolly Jersey the 2002 World Cup, as Papa Bouba Diop's goal sealed an incredible 1-0 win. Bruno Metsu masterminded 's earth-shaking upset of France run to the 2002 quarter-finals The much-loved Frenchman sadly pa sed away, aged 59, seven years ago today. RIP Bruno. FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) The victory had and they eventually made it out of Group A, after draws with Denmark and Uruguay.Bruno Metsu's side rode the wave into the Round of 16, as Henri Camara's 'Golden Goal' saw them beat Sweden 2-1, before they bowed out to Turkey in the last eight.MORE: Ghana (2010)Asamoah Gyan's two penalties secured four group-stage points for Ghana, against Serbia and Australia, as the World Cup was hosted by an African nation for the first time in South Africa.Despite losing their final group game to Germany, the Black Stars squeezed into the Round of 16 on goal difference, to face the USA.Gyan was again the hero, as his extra-time goal sealed a 2-1 win, and set up a date with Uruguay in the quarterfinals.Their meeting in Johannesburg has gone on to become one of the most controversial World Cup matches in recent memory.Luis Suarez's deliberate handball saw him sent off in extra time, but in a bizarre twist, Gyan crashed the resulting spot-kick off the cro sbar, as Ghana mi sed a golden opportunity to reach the semifinals."I almost hit Suarez when I saw him after the 2010 World Cup" - Asamoah Gyan Ghanasoccernet.com (@Ghanasoccernet) Despite Gyan recovering to score from the spot in a penalty shootout, skipper John Mensah mi sed, and Uruguay progre sed.Dois momentos icnicos de , separados por 12 anos! Copa do Mundo FIFA (@fifaworldcup_pt) Their group-stage rematch in Qatar was painted as a Dennis Maruk Jersey revenge mi sion for the Black Stars, bHistory repeats itself! Andre Ayew steps up - and mi s ANOTHER World Cup penalty against DRAMA! Watch on and the BBC Sport app. BBC Sport (@BBCSport) LUIS SUAREZ AFTER SEEING THAT SOUTH KOREA SCORED!AS IT STANDS, URUGUAY ARE ELIMINATED. ESPN FC (@ESPNFC)