By Samuel A. December 16, 2022
It usually goes like this in every major Football competition – most of the underdogs getting eliminated in the group stage or knockout round, a couple of favorites going out along the line en route to the final, and probably one underdog making it to an advanced stage of the competition. Before the 2022 World Cup began, people picked countries like Denmark, Senegal, USA, Canada etc as their underdogs in the competition. However, one team that was overlooked and underrated was the Moroccan national team. Morocco were drawn in a group that had Canada, 2018 World Cup semi finalists Belgium, and 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia. They seemed to have little or no chance of winning a game, talk more of qualifying from the group, but Head manager Walid Regragui and his men had other plans.
It all started with a goalless draw vs. Croatia. The Atlas Lions looked uninspiring and lacked intensity in that game. Belgium’s win over Canada made it increasingly unlikely for Morocco to qualify. They went on to play Belgium in a match where their first choice goalkeeper, Yacine Bounou was replaced before the game started after complaining of visual issues. In what will go down in history as one of the shocks of the tournament, Morocco went on to upset Belgium, with two inspired subs Sabiri and Aboukhlal finding the back of the net for the Atlas Lions, thus, putting Belgium’s place in the last 16 in peril. With 1 victory and a draw in hand all the atlas lions needed to qualify was a draw vs. Canada to come out of group F. They went on to beat Canada 2-1 to win the group. This was a great Feat for Morocco but topping the group they had a tougher test in the last 16, and maybe they’d have thought of finishing second instead.
The D-Day came and here came their first knockout stage matchup opponent Spain – a match where Spain were the clear favorites. The Spain side had the biggest scoreline in one game during the group stage, thus making them an attacking threat for Morocco. The Atlas Lions of Morocco hung tough for 120 scoreless minutes with heavily favored Spain before defeating the 2010 champions on penalties, due to the wonderful Bounou’s heroics. They became the fourth African nation to reach the quarterfinals.
Morocco’s next task was to beat Portugal, a team that put 6 past the Swiss. Aside from that, the Atlas Lions were missing a couple of players in Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd – two important defenders. The game commenced and the African side went ahead in the 42nd minute after En Nesyri headed home a sumptuous Attiyat Allah’s cross. The involvement of Rafael Leao, Cancelo and even one of the greatest players of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo, couldn’t change the fate of the game as Portugal were eliminated to their utter dismay. It was an earth shattering win for Morocco as they became the first ever African team to reach the semi final of the World Cup. At this point, even if Morocco didn’t win the competition, they already did well enough by knocking out some of the tournament favorites. Next up for the Moroccan team was France. – the defending champions of 2018. The French team seemed a little too hot to handle as they ended the underdog story in a 2-0 win. The Atlas Lions completely dominated proceedings in the second half but squandered most of the chances that fell to them. They went on to finish in fourth place after a subsequent defeat to Croatia.
Morocco’s run in this world cup gave a chance for the African continent and Arab world to dream. That the world cup was for everyone, not just for “rich nations” or UEFA or CONMEBOL. If the team development is right and the players really believe in each other, any country can win the World Cup. The Atlas Lions proved that during their historical run during this world cup and it will inspire teams from the Arab and African world to mimic them and do the same. FIFA will forever be grateful to the 2022 Morocco’s World Cup Team.
