Morocco's quarter-final hero Youssef En-Nesyri leapt to an incredible 9ft1 to score what proved to be the match-winning goal against Portugal at the World Cup, it has been revealed.
The Morocco forward - who is the same height as Cristiano Ronaldo at 6ft2 - rose highest above Diogo Costa and Ruben Dias to nod in Yahia Attiyat-Allah's inviting cross from the left-hand side as his team became the first African and Arab country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
It pushed him out alone as Morocco's top goalscorer at World Cups and proved to be the decisive goal as the African nation caused one of the biggest shocks of the tournament in Qatar by knocking out Ronaldo's Portugal.
En-Nesyri achieved the remarkable feat of jumping to an astonishing height of 9ft1 - eight inches higher than Ronaldo managed with his famous header while playing for Juventus against Sampdoria in 2019.
Ronaldo's jump was measured at 8ft4 as he rose highest to give Juventus victory away at Sampdoria three years ago. He was hailed at the time for his astonishing athleticism having risen to meet Alex Sandro's deep cross.
En-Nesyri climbed higher than Dias and beat goalkeeper Costa to the ball as he nodded home to give Morocco the lead.
En-Nesyri appeared to stumble as he wheeled away to celebrate the superb goal.
After a backs-to-the-wall rearguard action in the second half, Morocco saw out the win to set up a semi-final date with France after they beat England in the day's later game.
'I've always believed in Youssef,' his head coach Walid Regragui said after the game.
'Even Moroccan journalists criticised me when I defended him, but he's here. I accepted the criticism and I said to him he is a top player. He's the top scorer in history for Morocco at the World Cup.
'Coaches have reasons for choices and I've always believed in him, because of his energy on the pitch, that's why he plays for Sevilla.
'He's like [Olivier] Giroud for France, he works so hard for the team. Sometimes [these types of strikers] are criticised. He's from Morocco, he trained in Morocco and he's an important player. I'm very proud of him. His goal was a sign of destiny.'
Emmy619
70
So He Decided to Beat Ronaldo Jump Against Ronaldo Country. and to make it more Annoying, the Jump end Ronaldo Biggest Dream.(FIFA WC).😁
Jtp08-football
68
ronaldo and his sister and fans will now be obsessed to him too
Football_Messi
39
I don't understand jumping higher is not any achievement.. that goal was fantastic n appreciate his work but no need any comparison since it's not any achievement
Simon360
17
Better than Ronaldoh wow