World Cup 2022: Morocco turns into ‘Rocky’ event after beating Portugal

history maker.

This time, things are different.

The terrific Morocco lit up the World Cup – and their fans were rewarded by seeing them become the first team from the African continent to reach the semi-finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were sent home as the Atlas Lions roared with Jusuf Enneciri’s first-half header winner.

“We’re becoming a team that everyone likes because we’re showing what we can achieve,” said Victory boss Walid Regragui.

“If you show passion, sincerity and belief, you can succeed and my players have shown that. It’s not a miracle – the Europeans might say it’s a miracle – but we’ve beaten Portugal, Spain, Belgium, and Draw with Croatia without conceding a goal. It was hard work.

“African and Arab teams work hard, but we make our people happy and proud. The whole continent is proud of it. When you see Rocky Balboa, you want to root for him, and we’re in this class. The Rocky of the World Cup.”

Regragui’s Tears of Joy

Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) all fell in the quarter-finals, but Morocco shattered the glass ceiling and caused chaos at the Al Thumama Stadium.

The jeers of the watching fans turned to a cacophony of cheers as the substitutes flooded the pitch around the clock as the whistle blew after each touch of the Portuguese.

“See you, see you, (go, go),” fans chanted. “Dima Maghrib (Morocco forever),” others screamed.

Boss Regragui orchestrated the run, with his players lifting him into the air before they sprinted toward the supporters behind the goal with their arms aloft.

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The noise in this stadium is unbelievable. I wonder when there has been such a shock at the World Cup.

“They deserve it, not only for skill and hard work, but the noise keeps coming.”

Not only was Morocco the first African team, but also the first Arab team from a Muslim-majority country to reach the semi-finals of world football’s biggest competition.

The team showed their Islamic faith by gathering to recite the Koran ahead of their last penalty shoot-out victory over Spain.

As they do at the time, players and staff bowed (prolapsed) in front of the fans after the victory over Portugal.

Meanwhile, substitute Ashraf Dari donned a Palestinian flag to celebrate, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ashraf Hakimi found his mum again and kissed her, while ex-Southampton winger Sofia Nebfal shared with his Mom dances.

Regragui was one of the last to leave the pitch, clearly emotional after such a momentous victory.

He was applauded again with goalkeeper Bono in his post-match press conference and said his team “Alhamdulillah (thank God)” had a chance to win the World Cup and the world is now with Morocco “Inshallah (if God) wishes ).”

He added: “It’s the first time I’ve cried at the end of a game. I have to lead by example and show that I’m mentally strong, but sometimes it’s too much for you.

“Getting into the World Cup semi-final, the emotions just poured out. I’d be lying if we thought we were going to get to this stage, I just couldn’t hold back the tears.”

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou added: “We are here to change the mentality, to get rid of the inferiority complex. Morocco is going to face anybody in the world, beyond the semi-finals and anything else.

“We’ve changed that mentality and our next generation will know that Moroccan players can do wonders.

“I have great players around me, they are all great. When anyone faces Morocco now, they know they can play at the highest level.”

There were more tears, this time from Cristiano Ronaldo, who, at 37, trudged down the tunnel full-time and knew his dreams of lifting the World Cup might be over.

analyze

BBC News reporter Shaimaa Khalil

It was a great sporting moment, the best performance in the history of this team, but it went beyond football. This is a much-needed moment of collective joy and pride across the region and across the continent. Fans come to Doha from all over the Arab world.

“Now I can tell my kids I was there when my team made history,” one fan told me.

The three words I hear the most from Morocco fans are “pride”, “faith” and “confidence”.

As one fan put it: “This is a moment of confidence that we can play alongside the Giants.”

Tonight, there is one more word to add to Morocco’s 2022 World Cup story. history.

“Good vibes” from Africans and Arabs

Morocco are a solid, well-organized team – but without key defenders. West Ham United’s Naif Aqel and Bayern Munich’s Nusselt Mazraoui were injured, while captain Roman Seth was carried off on a stretcher in the second half.

Do not mind.

Their replacements have shown the fighting spirit needed to drag them past.

Morocco are unbeaten in eight games under Regraj, who were only appointed in September, and they have kept seven clean sheets – conceding just one own goal against Canada in the group stage.

Regragui said: “It was the toughest game. We faced some of the best teams, but we could really lose against Portugal.

“But if you put your heart, desire and humility into your heart, you create your own luck. The energy from the African and Arab people gave us a good vibe.

“Everyone was behind us and we made history with this fantastic achievement. We were in the top four in the world. These are great players and they deserve all the cheers.”

“We’ve shown people that African teams can reach the semi-finals, maybe even the final. Earlier in the game, I was asked if we could win the World Cup – why not? Why shouldn’t we dream?

“If you don’t have a dream, you get nothing and dreams don’t cost anything. European teams are used to winning the World Cup. Now we have to get in there and outdo ourselves.”

‘This time it’s for Africa’ – Reactions

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