Historical past-makers Morocco are two wins away from lifting a soccer World Cup trophy.
The workforce is but to be crushed at this yr’s match and has conceded simply as soon as – an own-goal towards Canada within the group levels.
Morocco has already gotten the higher of huge names akin to Belgium, Spain and Portugal whereas drawing towards Croatia. However standing between the workforce and a shot on the trophy is the footballing superpower and reigning champions France, who the Atlas Lions will meet within the semi-finals on Wednesday.
In the event that they handle to beat France, coach Walid Regragui’s aspect will then be pitted towards both Croatia, runners-up in 2018, or Argentina, 1986 World Cup winners, for world soccer’s greatest prize on Sunday.
Few would have believed it was potential Morocco would nonetheless be within the combine at this stage of the World Cup when the match kicked off in Qatar on November 20.
However now optimism is surging by Regragui’s workforce and amongst its throngs of supporters, in Qatar, Morocco and internationally.
Can Morocco upset the percentages once more and conclude their fairytale run in glory?
Who’ve the Atlas Lions crushed to date?
The Atlas Lions have shocked the footballing world with their magical exhibiting on the World Cup – turning into the primary Arab and African nation to succeed in the match’s final 4 all through its 92 years of existence.
They topped their group after beating Belgium and Canada and drawing towards Croatia earlier than gorgeous Spain within the final 16 with a dramatic win on penalties.
Portugal got here and went subsequent, with Youssef En Nesyri’s hovering header securing a historic 1-0 victory for his aspect, sending them by to the semis and sparking an outpouring of pleasure amongst supporters scattered all through the world.
What can we anticipate towards France?
Morocco will undertake the identical ways towards France as they’ve all through the match.
Regragui’s aspect will sit deep and hope to blunt the world champion’s array of attacking expertise, together with celebrity ahead Kylian Mbappe, whereas posing a risk on the counterattack.
Morocco’s defence has been resolute in Qatar with only one objective conceded in 5 matches.
France, who wish to turn out to be the World Cup’s first back-to-back finalists since Brazil in 2002, will present their hardest take a look at but.
Mbappe, whose 5 targets make him the match’s main scorer, is able to unlocking even probably the most resolute backlines whereas fellow forwards Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann have been on tremendous type in Qatar.
What does Al Jazeera’s AI robotic say?
Al Jazeera’s AI robotic, Kashef, has crunched the numbers and concluded Morocco face an uphill battle.
Kashef is giving Morocco a 32-percent probability of beating France and making it to the ultimate.
Ought to the Atlas Lions achieve this, they’ve a 43 p.c probability of lifting the trophy in the event that they tackle Croatia and a 33 p.c probability whether it is Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 18.
Attain the ultimate and win it
Coach Regragui has mentioned his gamers shouldn’t simply aspire to succeed in Sunday’s remaining however to win it.
“In a single press convention three or 4 matches in the past, I used to be requested if we may win the World Cup. And I mentioned, ‘Why not?’ We will dream. Why shouldn’t we dream? When you don’t dream, you don’t get wherever,” Regragui informed reporters on Saturday after the workforce’s victory over Portugal.
“It doesn’t price you something to have goals. European nations have been used to profitable the World Cup,” he added, describing his aspect because the “Rocky Balboa” of this yr’s match.
Do Moroccans imagine?
Morocco followers, enraptured by their aspect’s efforts, definitely imagine the workforce stands on the cusp of glory.
Tens of 1000’s of supporters arrived in Qatar forward of the Atlas Lions’ last-16 conflict and once more earlier than the quarter-final. They created a raucous ambiance through the matches and Wednesday’s conflict on the Al Bayt Stadium is predicted to really feel like a house match for the North African aspect.
“First time [in the semi-finals]. First time. Wow, wow. Historical past is made,” mentioned Lubna, who got here to Qatar from Rabat only for the quarterfinal towards Portugal. “Adios Spain, adios Portugal, adios whoever is subsequent. We will win it. Morocco, sure.”
“I nonetheless can’t imagine it. It doesn’t really feel actual to me,” Hassan Fadlaoui, 39, mentioned. “It’s been a tremendous journey for our folks in these previous few weeks … one thing for thus many individuals to really feel higher about.”
Reem, Najma and Lubna have been three extra Moroccan supporters who travelled to Doha only for the match towards Portugal.
“We’re going again tomorrow morning, however we’ll be again for the semifinal,” Reem mentioned. “Work can take a again seat. In Morocco, no person will care. We’re all excessive in World Cup fever.”
“I believe we are able to do something now,” Lamia of Casablanca mentioned. “For me, the World Cup is already gained. Morocco reaching this far within the match, this implies all the world to me. Win or not within the semis, the hearts have been gained.”
“It’s all of the happiness of the world mixed on this outcome. We’re all so, so, so completely happy,” a gaggle of Moroccan followers at Training Metropolis Stadium shouted on the prime of their lungs after the win towards Spain.
“We have been at all times assured of a win [against Spain]. As a result of we’re from Morocco, we’re the lions,” Iman, from Casablanca however residing in Qatar, mentioned, referring to the workforce’s nickname Atlas Lions.
“I’m so, so proud to be Moroccan proper now, wow, wow, wow. It’s wonderful, it’s the perfect feeling on the earth proper now,” Khadija mentioned. “I can’t look ahead to the subsequent match. We’re staying in Qatar. We’re not going residence.”