Morocco became the first, and only Arab team to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup yesterday. The Atlas Lions defeated Canada 2-1 yesterday, and topped their group – which also consisted of Croatia and Belgium.
The two teams were considered the favourites to make it through to the knockout stages. But, it was always going to be a tough group considering the quality of players involved. And Morocco have shown that anything is possible, with their remarkable performance so far.
Morocco make it through to R16: Are they the dark horses at the 2022 World Cup?
The Atlas Lions were able to defeat World number 2 Belgium 2-0 in their second group stage game. Prior to that, they started the competition with a 0-0 draw against 2018 finalists Croatia.
They have become the first African team to win a World Cup group since Nigeria in 1998. Moreover, they have earned passage into the knockout stages for only the second time in their history, the last time being 1986.
Having kept a clean sheet against two of the best sides in the world, and with an attack that is operating fluidly, Morocco will prove to be a handful for Spain in the knockout stages. And who is to say that they will not make it through to the quarter finals?
