Morocco’s feat on Saturday has something unreal in view of the CVs of some players. With the elimination of Portugal, the red lantern of Ligue 1 (Angers) is better represented in the last four of the world tournament than Manchester City: two players from SCO (Ounahi and Boufal) against only one from Cityzens (Argentinian Alvarez) !
Beyond the superstition aspect of the white jersey of the Portuguese Seleçao, the victory of the Atlas Lions was written in the stars. In 1986, Morocco had passed through the doors of its pool (which also included the 3rd of the previous edition, Poland in this case) at the cost of a victory against the Lusitanians, qualification which was a great first for a country from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). And for a first appearance at the semi-final stage, it was once again Portugal who were the expiatory victim of a Moroccan team, which is reminiscent of the journey 36 years earlier of the Guy Thys gang. .
The filiation between 1986 and 2022 is further reinforced by the presence of Selim Amallah in the 26 of Walid Regragui. Everything has already been said, or almost, on the contrast between his status as undesirable at Standard and that of indisputable with Morocco, a selection in which he compensated for his lack of rhythm of play with a self-sacrifice at all times. , the common denominator of all Moroccan internationals in Qatar. Despite a knee problem, he bites on his quid to be up to the appointment.
The kitty grows for the Standard
With one more week, the compensation paid by FIFA for the days of availability of the selection will further swell: it is a sum at least beyond the 370,000 euros that the Liège club will receive for a player who , technically, stems from the core of the SL16 FC. While waiting for a way out of the impasse, Selim Amallah will leave an indelible mark on the Rouches. For the first time since 1986, a Standard player is present at the semi-final stage. In Mexico, the red pioneers were defender Michel Renquin and striker Nico Claesen (holders while Gilbert Bodart was in the selection of 22), to clinch a 4th place finish, the best Belgian result until 2018, also with a representative of Jupiler Pro League in the 23, the Anderlechtois Leander Dendoncker who had remained on the bench both against France and against England. The last Belgian lined up in the semi-finals was the Korean Seol in 2002. The Dutch Robby Rensenbrink (Anderlecht) and Ruud Geels (FC Bruges) opened the ball for the Belgian championship in 1974.
