Morocco joined a group that many described as losers in the 2022 World Cup.
The first rival was Croatia, runner-up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Then Belgium, with its ‘golden generation’, was a popular choice to leave the group. Finally, a hungry Canadian team that finished at the top of the CONCACAF World Rankings made its first World Cup appearance in 36 years.
That tournament 36 years ago was special. Morocco finished as the winner of a group with three European teams: England, Poland and Portugal. Additionally, Morocco became the first African team to top a World Cup group. The Atlas Lions fell to a Lothar Matthäus goal in the 88th minute to exit the World Cup.
Fast forward to the present, and Morocco was the best performing team in CAF’s 2022 World Cup qualification. They won all six games played in the second stage. In doing so, Morocco scored 20 and conceded just one.
managerial change
Then, just three months before the tournament, the team experienced a major turning point. Morocco fired head coach Vahid Halilhodzic. The Bosnian was known for his cold relations with various players. Hakim Ziyech did not appear at AFCON 2022. This angered both the fans and the player as Ziyech withdrew from international competition.
Walid Regragui stepped in as Halilhodzic’s replacement. Regragui helped Wydad AC win the Botola Pro, the highest category in Morocco. Furthermore, he led Wydad AC to their third CAF Champions League title. He is only the second Moroccan coach to win the African Champions League.
The return of Chelsea striker Hakim Ziyech from retirement has helped reduce tensions in the team.
Morocco lights up the 2022 World Cup
Morocco’s main goal in the 2022 World Cup was to improve on the last tournament in 2018. In a group of Spain, Portugal and Iran, Morocco finished last in the group. However, he forced a draw away to Spain and only lost 1-0 to Portugal through a Cristiano Ronaldo goal.
Morocco’s campaign began with a goalless draw against Croatia. Before the game, the majority ruled out Morocco. However, the actual game leaned towards the African side. The aggressive pressing created eight attempts on goal to Croatia’s six.
On the second day, Morocco gave one of the biggest surprises in the history of the World Cup. They crushed European giants Belgium, 2-0. For the first time since 1998, Morocco won a World Cup match. However, this was far more impressive than a 3-0 win over Scotland in 1998.
With a 2-1 victory over Canada in the last group game, Morocco clinched first place in Group F. For the first time in 36 years, Morocco reached the round of 16 of the World Cup.
The first opponent in the round of 16 was Spain. The Red was the favourite, of course. Despite finishing runner-up in the group behind Japan, Spain is always a tough opponent. Luis Enrique’s men dominated possession and created most of the chances. Still, that wasn’t enough for victory.
After 120 minutes without either team finding the net, the game went to penalties. Thanks to the heroics of Moroccan goalkeeper Bono, Morocco won 3-0 on penalties and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Another strong European rival awaited in the quarterfinals. The Atlas Lions faced Portugal. Even with the heroics of Cristiano Ronaldo aside, Portugal presented a different challenge to Spain. Morocco’s excellent positional discipline and a solid defensive line prevented Portugal from mounting many clever threats. Morocco won the match thanks to a goal from Youssef En-Nesyri.
As a result, Morocco became the first African country to play in the World Cup semifinals.
According to the Moroccan coach, their trip is the result of the hard work they have put in. Regragui says it’s not just a miracle.
“This is not about miracles, but about the hard work we have gone through during our journey so far. The World Cup is wonderful for the players. I was hoping to participate in the tournament as a player, but fate gave me the opportunity to return as a coach to become the happiest person on the face of the earth. Earth, now we can dream of winning the World Cup”, said coach Walid Regragui.
history makers
Whatever happens now, Morocco has made history in this tournament by becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Morocco knocked out two European soccer titans in the knockout phase, prompting coach Walid Regragui to refer to Morocco as the “Rocky of this World Cup.”
In the end, France was just too much. Morocco edged out the third-place team and the second-place team from 2018. The champions from four years ago were too talented with their clinical final in the semi-final.
Regardless, Morocco may be the first team to finish on the proverbial podium at the Africa World Cup. A deservedly earned feat after a grueling run to the final four of the tournament.
PHOTO: IMAGO / MexSport Agency
World Cup 2022 Guide
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