Roar of the Lions: Morocco Make History and Echo Through the World

At 7:57pm in Qatar—just before 6pm in Casablanca—Facundo Tello blew the final whistle, and the Atlas Lions let loose. On the touchline, a stream of red erupted onto the pitch. On the field, others dropped to their knees. Morocco had done the unthinkable. They had made history. For the first time ever, an African team reached the semi-finals of a World Cup. The roar that followed wasn’t confined to the Al Thumama Stadium. It echoed from Marrakesh to Mombasa, from Casablanca to Cairo.

A Team Forged in Granite

Walid Regragui’s Morocco has been more than a Cinderella story. This is a side of iron will and tactical precision. In a gauntlet run through European football royalty—Belgium, Croatia, Spain, and now Portugal—they have not flinched. In over 510 minutes of football, plus a penalty shootout, no opponent has managed to score against them. Their only concession came through an unfortunate own goal against Canada.

Even as Portugal summoned Cristiano Ronaldo from the bench in a desperate second-half gamble, Morocco stood firm. Ronaldo’s tears as he walked down the tunnel may have signaled a swan song; his presence changed little. A single moment was all he had—one chance in the 91st minute, smothered expertly by Bono. And when Pepe's 97th-minute header somehow veered past the post, Portugal’s last cry faded into silence.

More Than Resistance

It would be a disservice to label Morocco merely defensive. While their resilience is remarkable, their game is far from reactive. They move with purpose, their counters not rushed but calculated—surgical. They do not wait to run; they earn the right to fly.

Youssef En-Nesyri’s 42nd-minute header—Morocco’s defining moment—was not a fluke but the culmination of intelligent, incisive play. Attiyat Allah’s cross was looping and hopeful, but En-Nesyri soared with almost unnatural elevation. As Diogo Costa misjudged the flight, the striker met the ball mid-air with a thunderclap of a header. The bounce off the turf sealed its fate—and Portugal’s.

Collective Grit, Individual Brilliance

Morocco’s victory is as much about the system as it is about the individuals. Achraf Hakimi surged from the back like a winger, his every run fueled by belief. Sofyan Amrabat, the heartbeat in midfield, and Azzedine Ounahi, so often overlooked at struggling Angers, outshone the supposed stars of Portugal.

Then there’s Bono, whose gloves seem wrapped in destiny. Time and again, he denied Portugal the breakthrough. Boufal dazzled, Ziyech twisted and turned, and even as legs tired and Cheddira was sent off, the Moroccan lines held—unwavering, unyielding.

Portugal Left Searching for Answers

Portugal had their chances: João Félix’s early diving header and deflected strike nearly struck gold; Bruno Fernandes hit the crossbar with a bouncing strike and then appealed for a penalty, which never came. Ramos, the hat-trick hero against Switzerland, missed his cue. And Ronaldo, in what could be his final World Cup appearance, was a figure of impotence, not influence.

The post-match reaction in the Portuguese camp was less about the play and more about the officiating. Veteran defender Pepe cast doubt over FIFA’s appointment of an Argentine referee—Facundo Tello—just a day after Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martínez criticized Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz for his handling of Argentina’s quarter-final clash.

“It’s unacceptable,” Pepe said. “After what happened yesterday with Messi talking, the referee today was never neutral.” He questioned the brief eight minutes of stoppage time, ending with a bitter claim: “I can bet that Argentina will be champions.”

Bruno Fernandes echoed the sentiment, calling the referee’s pace and experience into question. “It’s very weird,” he said. “Our referees do the Champions League. They know these moments. Today, we had a referee who tilted the field.”

Santos and the End of an Era?

Portugal manager Fernando Santos struck a more measured tone, choosing not to join the chorus of criticism. Under contract until Euro 2024, his future remains uncertain. “We believed we could go all the way,” he admitted. “I will speak with the federation president when we return.”

On not starting Ronaldo, Santos was firm. “No regrets,” he said. Perhaps that is the most telling line of all in a match that may have quietly marked the end of Portugal’s golden generation.

The Atlas Rises

This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. A rewriting of the footballing canon. Morocco has become a beacon—not only for Africa but for every underdog who’s ever dared to believe. There’s poetry in how they play. But there’s also steel. And in that blend lies the making of legends.

Next up: France. Another mountain. But if Morocco has taught the world anything, it’s that even mountains can be moved.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Only Football Does This: Morocco's Night of Glory

In the end, it had to be him. After two searing hours and seven soul-stretching minutes of football lived on a knife’s edge, the moment belonged to Achraf Hakimi. Raised in Madrid, yet draped now in the red of Morocco, he stood alone at the penalty spot. A son of the diaspora—one of 17 born beyond the borders of the nation he now represented—Hakimi carried the weight of history on his shoulders. One more step. One more kick. One chance to send the Atlas Lions into their first World Cup quarter-final—and to eliminate the country that shaped him.

Pressure? What pressure? With the world watching, Hakimi sauntered forward, barely more than a stroll, and with exquisite audacity, chipped the ball down the middle. A Panenka, light as a whisper. For a moment, time held its breath. Then, pandemonium. He shuffled into a celebratory dance, a smile flickering across his face. Before him, fans erupted. Behind, teammates came thundering toward him, arms flung wide, as they gathered around goalkeeper Yassine Bounou—“Bono” to the world—their anchor and their hero. Then they dropped to their knees. And prayed.

The magnitude of the moment rippled far beyond the pitch. One journalist took the mic at the post-match press conference. “I don’t have a question,” he told Bounou and Walid Regragui, Morocco’s coach of just three months. “I just want to say… thank you.” His voice cracked. His eyes brimmed. The applause that followed said more than any analysis ever could.

History had been made. Not quietly, not accidentally—but earned through grit, heart, and breathtaking unity. Spain were out. Africa’s last remaining team were through. And what a team. In over six and a half hours of World Cup football, no opponent had managed to beat Bounou. Morocco had conceded only once—and even that had come off their own boot. Even in the crucible of penalties, the fortress held firm.

“I wouldn’t change a thing—except their goalkeeper,” Spain manager Luis Enrique said, rueful but honest. Bono had saved two penalties, from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets, and watched another, from Pablo Sarabia, crash against the post.

How could Sarabia not break? Thrust into the game with two minutes left—cold, untested, and tasked with taking Spain’s first penalty—he had already kissed the post moments earlier in open play. On 122:50, with the final whistle imminent, he was gifted a chance mere feet from goal. He struck the post. Again. Lightning, it turns out, does strike twice.

Football can be cruel like that. But Morocco won’t mind. Not tonight. Education City Stadium was theirs, cloaked in red and green, reverberating with thunderous support from start to finish. From the first whistle—indeed, from the first foul, just 18 seconds in—Morocco made their presence felt. Hakim Ziyech scythed through Jordi Alba, setting the tone. Regragui had warned: “Every time you see Spain’s shirt, you know what you’re going to get.” And so it proved. Spain had 76% possession. Over a thousand passes. And yet, the game belonged to Morocco.

Not through domination, but through defiance. Through a tactical masterclass. Through running when it mattered, robbing when it hurt, and executing a defensive performance that approached art. The Spanish style—precise, relentless, patient—met a wall of red that would not break.

Hakimi was a force of nature. Sofyan Amrabat covered every blade of grass, a human metronome of control and desire. And Azzedine Ounahi? “Madre mía,” Luis Enrique murmured afterward. “Where did he come from?” The answer: everywhere.

The flourishes of beauty came courtesy of Sofiane Boufal, soft feet dancing past defenders, leaving Marcos Llorente bewildered. Yet this was no one-sided affair. Spain had moments too. Gavi struck the bar. Torres found himself smothered. Marco Asensio fired wide. But even when Morocco tired and Spain surged, nothing could break them.

Transitions grew slower. Attacks rarer. But still Morocco held firm. Walid Cheddira twice had chances late on, one saved sharply by Unai Simón. But by then, it felt inevitable: this was going to penalties. And in penalties, fate had chosen its hero.

Sarabia hit the post. Bono denied Soler. Then Busquets. Morocco, meanwhile, were ice. Abdelhamid Sabiri. Hakim Ziyech. And then Hakimi, with a feather-touch of destiny.

This wasn’t just an upset. This was a statement. Spain, methodical and mechanical, were outthought and outfought. Morocco, full of fire and soul, now march on—into the last eight, into the annals of history, and into the hearts of millions.

Only football does this.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

A Historic Leap: Morocco’s Journey to the 1970 FIFA World Cup

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the African continent was granted a direct place in the world’s most prestigious football tournament. The road to this groundbreaking moment was paved with challenges, triumphs, and an unyielding spirit of determination, culminating in Morocco’s qualification for the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. This was not merely a sporting achievement but a symbolic representation of African football’s growing stature on the global stage.

The Road to Qualification: A New Dawn for Africa

The qualification process for the 1970 World Cup began with a historic shift in FIFA’s policies. After African nations boycotted the 1966 tournament in protest of their lack of representation, FIFA allocated a guaranteed spot for a team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This decision marked a turning point, acknowledging the talent and potential of African football.

The qualifying draw took place on February 1, 1968, in Casablanca, Morocco. Thirteen African nations vied for the coveted spot, but the journey was fraught with drama. Congo Kinshasa, the reigning African champions, chose not to participate. Ghana, runners-up in the African Nations Cup, received a bye to the second round, while other teams like Sudan, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Ethiopia advanced from the initial stages.

The decisive moment came when Morocco faced Tunisia in a tightly contested tie. After two goalless legs, the fate of both teams was decided by a coin toss in France—a stark reminder of the unpredictability and drama that often define football. Morocco emerged victorious, advancing to a third round where they triumphed over Nigeria and Sudan in a mini-league format. This victory secured their place in the World Cup, making them the first African nation to compete since Egypt’s brief appearance in 1934.

The Group of Giants: Morocco’s World Cup Debut

Drawn into Group 4 alongside football powerhouses West Germany, Bulgaria, and Peru, Morocco faced an uphill battle. Their opening match against West Germany on June 3, 1970, in León, was a baptism by fire. The German squad, featuring legends like Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, and Sepp Maier, was a formidable force, widely regarded as one of the strongest teams of the era.

Despite the daunting challenge, Morocco entered the match with confidence and determination. Striker Said Ghandi later recalled the team’s mindset: “We were representing Morocco and Africa. This was a game we had to treat with utmost seriousness.”

In the 21st minute, Morocco stunned the Germans as Maouhoub Jarir scored the opening goal. The Moroccan bench erupted in celebration, while the Germans, momentarily shaken, regrouped with renewed vigor. Goalkeeper Allal Ben-Kassou faced relentless attacks, making crucial saves to preserve Morocco’s lead. However, the relentless pressure eventually took its toll. Uwe Seeler and Gerd Müller scored for West Germany, sealing a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

Ben-Kassou later reflected on the match: “Honestly, we didn’t think we could beat them. But when we scored, our confidence grew. It was a moment of pride for us and for African football.”

A Natural Disaster and a Psychological Blow

Morocco’s second match against Peru was overshadowed by the devastating Ancash earthquake, which struck Peru on May 31, 1970. The disaster, one of the deadliest in the country’s history, initially led the Peruvian team to consider withdrawing from the tournament. Morocco’s coach, believing the match would be forfeited, gave his players a day off from training.

However, the Peruvians decided to stay and play, catching the Moroccans off guard. The lack of preparation proved costly as Morocco lost 3-0. Said Ghandi later admitted, “We lost focus and the psychological edge. The earthquake disrupted our rhythm and threw us off balance.”

A Proud Exit and a Lasting Legacy

In their final group match against Bulgaria, Morocco earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw, leaving the tournament with their heads held high. Although they did not advance to the knockout stages, their spirited performances won admiration from fans and critics alike.

Sixteen years later, Morocco would make history again by becoming the first African team to reach the Round of 16 in the 1986 World Cup. Yet, the seeds of that achievement were sown in 1970, when Morocco showcased the potential of African football on the world stage.

Reflecting on the 1970 World Cup, Ben-Kassou remarked, “We didn’t qualify for the second round, but we played good football and showed the world that African football had to be taken seriously.”

For Said Ghandi, the memories remain vivid: “We left our mark in Mexico, and we are proud of that.”

Conclusion: A Turning Point in Football History

Morocco’s journey to the 1970 FIFA World Cup was more than a sporting milestone; it was a testament to resilience, ambition, and the unifying power of football. Their participation marked the dawn of a new era, inspiring future generations of African players and teams to dream bigger and aim higher. The legacy of their adventure in Mexico endures, a reminder that even against the giants of the game, determination and courage can carve a place in history.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar