The Moroccan goalkeeper has already created historical past, serving to his nation attain the World Cup semifinals.
Morocco’s win over Portugal to grow to be the primary African aspect to achieve the World Cup semifinals produced some iconic pictures: Youssef En-Nesyri’s leap for the objective, Sofiane Boufal dancing along with his mom on the touchline, supervisor Walid Regragui being hoisted by his gamers, the unbridled pleasure amongst Moroccan followers within the stands.
But an important second that enabled these scenes of euphoria got here within the 84th minute, with Portugal urgent laborious for an equaliser.
Joao Felix was teed up by Cristiano Ronaldo and the curling left-footed strike he unleashed appeared destined for the highest nook of Morocco’s objective. However Yassine Bounou had different concepts. The goalkeeper tipped the ball behind for a nook, leaving Felix with an expression of disbelief. It was a second that handed by in a break up second however one which Moroccan soccer will relive for many years. It’s amongst a string of such epic saves by Bounou on the World Cup in Qatar that helped his aspect create historical past whereas additionally propelling him into the worldwide limelight.
Rumours are swirling of prime European golf equipment, from Actual Madrid to Manchester United, taking curiosity within the Moroccan goalkeeper, who’s often known as Bono – the identify he wears on his jersey.
Albeit protected by an ready defence, Bounou has stored three clear sheets up to now within the World Cup, the joint-best within the event. It’s a feat no African goalkeeper has ever achieved earlier than.
In 4 video games between the posts, Bounou has conceded only one objective. His targets conceded per 90 minutes is 0.23, the bottom up to now on this World Cup. He didn’t play in Morocco’s first large upset of the event, towards Belgium.
However he starred in his aspect’s win over Spain within the spherical of 16, maintaining out all three penalties within the shootout.
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Whereas Bounou is among the breakout successes of the World Cup, La Liga followers are effectively acquainted along with his expertise. The Sevilla keeper conceded 5 fewer targets final season than Actual Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, the primary goalkeeper on the planet. The Moroccan’s 13 clear sheets noticed him topped the most effective goalkeeper of the 12 months in La Liga.
Born in Montreal to Moroccan mother and father, Bounou was eligible to play for Canada and was even contacted by the Canadian supervisor in 2013. However he finally opted to play for Morocco.
“I’m initially from Morocco and I grew up there. I at all times dreamed of taking part in for the Atlas Lions,” he stated in an interview to the Spanish tv present Balón Parado earlier than the World Cup.
Whereas Moroccan followers should be thanking their stars for Bounou, Sevilla supporters might quickly need to half methods with him. He has begun to obtain courting glances from Europe’s elite golf equipment, and the Andalusian aspect – the place he’s at the moment in his fourth 12 months – could have a job on their arms to maintain maintain of him.
For groups which have nonetheless not discovered what they’re in search of between the posts, “Bono” may be the reply.