The World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar took place Saturday night and were full of surprises. Morocco was one of them as the team made history by becoming the first Arab or African nation to reach the semifinals.
Morocco already defied expectations at the tournament after defeating Belgium and Spain. Following their victory over Portugal, the team will play France, who beat England yesterday night, in the semifinals on 14th December. Should they win, the World Cup finals will take place on Sunday, December 18.
Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou said after the game: “Pinch me, I’m dreaming. Morocco is ready to face anyone in the world. We have changed the mentality of the generation coming after us. They’ll know Moroccan players can create miracles.”
The team’s couch, Walid Regragui is aiming high: “why shouldn’t we dream of winning the World Cup?” he asked.
“If you don’t dream, you don’t get anywhere. It doesn’t cost you to dream.”
Walid Regragui
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute, which sparked an explosion of pride across the Arab and African world. In the 92-year history of the World Cup, only three other countries: Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) have reached the quarter-finals, but none have made it further.
Fans around the world have celebrated the win, from Ivory Coast to Saudi Arabia, people went onto the streets to cheer, dance and sing. Political and sporting leaders also praised the victory, prime ministers of Libya, Iraq and the Palestinian Authority and other important figures have paid tribute via Twitter, reports France24.
African Union President Macky Sall wrote: “HISTORIC! AND FANTASTIC! THE ATLAS LIONS ARE QUALIFIED FOR THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP! BRAVO MOROCCO.”
Former soccer star Didier Drogba tweeted, “They did it!!!! Well done Morocco for this feat. Long live Africa.”
As per expert picks and odds, on Wednesday France will start as favourites and they are keen to become the first nation in 60 years to win consecutive World Cups. “We’re going to the semifinals. We’re getting closer to the final. In the past, though, the world champions didn’t always do well in the next World Cup, and we’ve managed to overcome that challenge,” said French coach Didier Deschamps.
Source: cnbc.com
