image source, Getty Images
Morocco has managed to make history by reaching the Qatar 2022 semifinal.
Morocco has made history this Saturday.
The setting could not be more Arabic, the same language spoken in the African country: at the Al Thumama stadium, which is inspired by the fabrics known as gahfiya, the Africans beat Portugal 1-0.
And in this way they became the first African and Arab country to access a semifinal of a World Cup.
It is a historical fact in many ways: only two nations, the USA and South Korea, outside of Europe and South America have accomplished such a feat in the 21 editions of the World Cup so far.
Also, the way they have done it: Morocco remains undefeated and on the way has left behind Belgium, Spain and now the Portugal of Cristiano Ronaldo.
image source, Getty Images
Youssef En-Nesyri’s jump that gave Morocco the first goal against Portugal.
They have also only conceded one goal: the one scored by Canada in the group series.
All achieved by the direction of Walid Regragui, a former player who had only had experience as a coach in Moroccan football, but who managed to give an identity to a team led by PSG winger Achraf Hakimi and Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech.
Here at BBC Mundo we tell you three of the reasons for this historic feat that could become epic if they make it to the final on November 18 in Qatar on Wednesday.
The approach
Perhaps the main reason why Morocco is in the semifinal of this world Cup It is because they have had a clear strategy that each and every one of their players has applied.
And it is applied with such discipline and rigor that opposing teams seem to climb a rocky mountain where they can never reach the top.
Although many have described Regragui’s approach as ultra-defensive, the truth is that this led them to beat Belgium 2-0, to not concede an inch against Spain and now to beat Portugal 1-0 that had just thrashed 6-1 Switzerland in the round of 16.
image source, Richard Heathcote
Yassine Bounou has only conceded one goal so far in the World Cup.
It is the team that has conceded the fewest goals in the World Cup: a goal against Canada. Croatia follows with two.
“Morocco has played beautiful football, especially against Portugal. It is true that they defend, with structure and organization, but the team has many skills, which were evident in the counterattacks, like the one they put together for the goal this Saturday,” he explained. Scottish former footballer and BBC commentator Pat Nevin.
Golden generation?
Despite the fact that it is the collective assembly that has led Morocco to this unprecedented instance for them, the truth is that well-known players around the world are part of this team.
Among them stands out the right winger of English Chelsea Hakim Ziyech and the side of French PSG, Achraf Hakimi.
The curious thing is that neither of these two players were born in Morocco.
Ziyech was born in the Netherlands. In fact, he was part of the youth team of that country. However, when it came time to decide which team to play for in the senior category, he decided on Morocco, where his parents were born.
image source, Getty Images
Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi have become the lynchpin of Morocco.
The Chelsea winger was part of Ajax Amsterdam and currently plays for the British club, with whom he won the 2021 Champions League.
For his part, Hakimi, who was born in Madrid, Spain, was more direct and always opted for Morocco from the youth teams.
He was part of the Real Madrid squad, but was transferred to Borussia Dortmund and later to PSG, the team to which he currently belongs.
These players are joined by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who has been voted the best African player in the Spanish League (he is part of Sevilla) and the ninth best goalkeeper on the planet.
Support
It seems like a minor issue, but the support that the “Lions of the Atlas”as they are called, is only comparable with the one received by the Argentine team.
image source, Getty Images
Morocco have had great support in the stands during Qatar 2022.
During the matches that Morocco has played in Qatar, the fans have constantly supported them, chanting when their team has the ball and non-stop whistling when the opposing team has it.
“It seems that Morocco was the host of this World Cup and not Qatar,” a Moroccan fan commented to the British newspaper The Guardian.
And it is that something curious has happened with this team: and it is that, according to the special envoy of BBC Mundo to Doha, José Carlos Cueto, in addition to the Moroccan fans present in Qatar, the Egyptians, Tunisians, Saudis and other Arab countries they are also supporting Morocco.
“There are Egyptians, Jordanians, Iraqis, Yemenis; they had all left their families and their jobs just to come to support Morocco,” highlighted another of the fans quoted by the British newspaper.
Remember that you can receive notifications from BBC Mundo. Download the new version of our app and activate them so you don’t miss out on our best content.