First Morocco wins Group F ahead of Croatia and Belgium – and then bowls title favorite Spain out of the tournament. Morocco shaves the World Cup – and is celebrated across Africa and the Arab world.
Morocco is undoubtedly the surprise of the 2022 World Cup. After beating Spain on penalties thanks to their “smiling goalkeeper” Bono, the North West Africans are in the quarter-finals. Why Morocco deserves and is in the quarter-finals for the first time in its history – a look at the strengths of the “Lions of the Atlas”.
Morocco’s tough defense
Morocco’s defense is outrageously good. Morocco have conceded just one goal in the tournament – and that was an unfortunate own goal against Canada. The offensive stars from Croatia, Belgium and Spain didn’t manage to break through the defensive bulwark around captain Romain Saïss.
In addition, Morocco have world-class full-backs in Achraf Hakimi and Nouassir Mazraoui. An occupation that Germany can only dream of. The young Moroccans are both more than solid in defence, but can also develop full offensive power.
Achraf Hakimi is one of the best right-backs in the world
And even if Morocco’s defense slips a ball, Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, known as Bono, is still there. He’s already a national hero thanks to his saves against Spain.
Exceptional Discipline
What is striking when you look at the last Morocco games: The north-west Africans are exceptionally disciplined. They are almost always inferior in terms of play – and they know it. But they don’t care because they follow their match plan to the last second. With a lot of walking they shift the chains and close the center. Morocco simply doesn’t offer the opponent any gaps.
Morocco’s discipline also has a name: Sofyan Amrabat. A worker in the square. The man from AC Florence is the only six in front of the defense chain and has enough meters for two players. His willingness to run and strength in tackles is Morocco’s life insurance.
Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat in a duel with Spain’s Pedri
Morocco can also count on Amrabat in the build-up game. He brings almost 90 percent of his passports to the man. The internet celebrates Amrabat for his outstanding achievements.
The team carries the euphoria of the fans
Up to 30,000 Morocco fans in the stadium make every World Cup game a home game. Thousands of Moroccan fans celebrated the quarter-finals in the streets of Doha on Tuesday evening. The crowds in the central Souq Waqif market were so great that the police had to cordon off the central meeting place for many fans. Thousands still queued to gain entry.
Social media is also full of Morocco fans celebrating themselves and their country. And the internet celebrates the Morocco fans. “By God, it’s true Santa Claus is dancing” – that’s what Morocco fans sing in a video that has been seen by millions of people on TikTok and Twitter since January. No wonder Morocco are so impressive at this World Cup. With such passionate fans (and Santa Claus on your side) it’s hard to lose.
Morocco fans also celebrate in Germany
Morocco fans in Germany also give their all, for example in Essen or Düsseldorf. The Moroccan-influenced “Maghreb district” in Düsseldorf celebrated the victory against Spain.
All of Africa supports Morocco
Morocco is the last remaining African team in the tournament. A team from the second largest continent has never made it into a World Cup semi-final. The comment columns on Twitter, TikTok and Co. are full of supporters from other African countries. All wish Morocco maximum success. Such support inspires.
Morocco is also the last Arab team in the tournament. Qatari, Saudi and Egyptian fans also joined in the Moroccan celebrations after beating Spain, waving their flags. The “Atlas Lions” certainly have the support of the Arab world.
Maybe it’s a mixture of athletic performance and African-Arab euphoria that makes Morocco so good. And maybe that’s the key to success in the quarter-finals against Portugal. “God willing” the Moroccans would say – God willing.
