Morocco 1-0 Portugal: Key talking points as Regragui’s men write history | FIFA World Cup 2022
Morocco held on to a 1-0 lead against Portugal to storm into the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, becoming the first team from the African continent to achieve what seemed like an impossible feat.
A team that by now is well established to not be taken lightly, Morocco had the Herculean task of overcoming Portugal in the quarters, but sailed through courtesy of a brave header from Youssef En-Nesyri and some fantastic defensive work. Walid Cheddira picked up a couple of yellow cards in quick succession and was rightfully given his marching orders in the 93rd minute.
As the Al Thumama Stadium roared louder than ever to the full-time whistle at the end of eight added minutes and Cristiano Ronaldo stormed into the dressing room in tears, the World Cup reminded us of the powerful narratives it creates, forging memories that last for generations to follow.
Today, Morocco scripted what will be sung like hymns across their landscape for the next few decades.
The upbeat Moroccan side will now take on the winner of France vs. England in a mouth-watering semi-final. Belgium, Spain and now Portugal have been turned to dust. This team knows how to dream, that’s for certain. Who knows what they could conjure next?
Before that, we shall have a rundown of the main talking points from the 1-0 triumph, and how Fernando Santos and co. were tactically outmanoeuvred.
Morocco the more applicative going forward in the first 45 minutes
Given the stage and the fact that it was the most prestigious game in their history, Morocco should have felt some jitters against one of the finest performing teams in the round-of-16.
They didn’t, though, as they were the better side as the game wore on in the first half. The African nation formed a well-structured defence, proving impermeable against the likes of Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Neves – all brilliant, innovative distributors of the football.
They had to choose the aerial route and sling more difficult long balls that were eventually thwarted. Morocco’s midfielders were far superior in winning the loose balls and the second ball in midfield, transitioning smoothly into the Portugal third.
Walid Regragui’s troops were goading, threatening to produce better deliveries into the box. Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech sparked into life once, cutting in sharply but scuffing his shot. Selim Amallah fired off target, while eventual goal scorer Youssef En-Neysri narrowly missed a couple of headers.
Morocco finished the first 45 with seven attempts on goal, better shot accuracy and clearly, more intent as well as distinct patterns into their forays.
Portugal were caught out on the right all evening
There was no denying it was brewing. Morocco were the stronger unit going forward. Amallah and Azzedine Ounahi sat deep to create a low block. What made them effective besides the defensive accuracy was the hunger to win duels in the middle and maraud forward with the ball.
It often created situations for the wingers to test Diogo Dalot and Raphael Guerreiro, two full-backs who by nature, love to push ahead.
The threat, predominantly, was from the left-hand side of Morocco’s attack. Sofiane Boufal’s flair, combined with Sofyan Amrabat’s tendency to ping passes down the left, and the cover from Amallah paired with the high-flying Yahia Attiyat-Allah outnumbered Portugal on that flank.
The latter had an effort played through to him but failed to hit the target trying to shoot from his favoured left foot. That moment summed up Morocco’s genius down the left.
Attiyat-Allah whipped an inviting ball for Morocco’s goal as well. Once again, he was given ample time to look up and pick his spot.
Unquestionably, there was a lot to be done. Sevilla’s En-Nesyri leapt high to win the ball against an erroneous Diogo Costa. The leap epitomised the kind of desire and hunger that would perhaps have left Cristiano Ronaldo round-mouthed on the bench.
Morocco are not your average defensive-minded underdogs
Yassine Bounou – the first-ever Zamora trophy winner for Sevilla in the club’s history – has been an integral part of Morocco’s run of games that has only seen them concede once.
Portugal had just three shots on goal all day at his goal, which is an underwhelming statistic alongside many others for them on the day, especially with the firepower they possess on the pitch and the bench.
Bruno Fernandes struck an audacious volley that rattled the post, while Joao Felix’s powerful driving effort drew the fingertips of Bounou in the 83rd minute. Pepe, meanwhile, missed the target in the dying embers of the game with a header off a brilliant Rafael Leao cross.
Apart from these moments, Morocco’s defence was on top throughout the course of the fixture.
Yes, they faced a few hiccups which one can expect them to encounter against a quality attacking outfit. Yes, they had to dig it out in the end after failing to double their lead on counterattacks when Portugal were overcommitting bodies up front. And of course, they had to flood the box in numbers to protect a slender lead.
What Morocco does so well, and the reason why they are where they are now, is that they regroup in flashes.
The configuration of the team, all thanks to Regragui – who has only been about three months into his job now – is well-drilled from top to down. Morocco don’t map full backs on midfielders, nor do they sit deep and allow shots from outside the box.
It’s quite easy to switch off at this stage, against an opposition of such calibre, and not close down players who thrive on that extra second to produce a moment of magic.
Morocco are built differently. They are streetwise defenders, a unit that is framed exceedingly well to hurt the opponent on the break.
Never did they look out of their depth on the occasion, or as though they’d crumple against an onslaught towards the end.
There was no sense of panic, or the need for last-ditch defending. It was planned to perfection and implemented brilliantly.
Morocco carries a sense of programmed optimism behind their dream. And right now, all of Africa’s hopes for a World Cup champion.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Антон Зайцев. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.