Regarding the world cup’ tournament, Walid Regragui will be pleased if they, Morocco, match Cameroon’s undefeated record, but not as much as they will be if they are within 90 minutes of making African history.
Players from Morocco either play for elite clubs in Europe or have previously been a part of illustrious teams vying for national and continental honors.
The two players who stand out are Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi; the former is still under contract to Chelsea, albeit in a supporting role, and the wide defender is a crucial member of Paris Saint-Germain as they pursue an elusive Champions League title.
However, given how the past two weeks have played out, they probably pinch themselves.
Due to Vahid Halilhodzic’s dismissal and the subsequent appointment of Walid Regragui in late August, Morocco entered the World Cup’ unsure of the course of events. The departed Bosnian remains displeased with his dismissal, pointedly labelling it “true sporting and moral injustice”.
Regragui succeeded the forthright manager, but he didn’t take over the Atlas Lions’ first exhibition match until September—exactly two months before they played Croatia in their opening matchup at this year’s finals.
In Russia four years ago, the Red Devils, who were expected to advance, reached the semifinals but fell just short to eventual champions France, who defeated Luka Modric and company in the decisive match. Morocco would have been content to finish the group stage with three points, and if they were lucky, four.
They scored seven and went undefeated in the group stage after holding Croatia to a respectable draw and shocking Belgium 2-0. In just three games in Qatar, the Atlas Lions, who had only won two World Cup games overall since their tournament debut in 1970, advanced to the knockout round for the first time since 1986.
The majority of the praise has gone to Ziyech, who has dominated various attacking measures.
If they defeat Spain, Regragui’s team will equal the Lions’ achievement, but they will need to keep pushing themselves and proving they are more than the sum of their parts.
After Morocco’s 2-1 victory over Canada, the manager commented, “We didn’t come just to say ‘well, we almost got close’.” “We must perform as well as any European or South American team. We must follow their example.
The North Africans have so far performed better than anticipated; in fact, according to metrics measuring expected goals for and against (xG and xGA), they should have finished last in Group F rather than first.
