Morocco Defeats Portugal 1-0... First African Team to Reach Semifinals
GK's Saves and Solid Defense Stop European Powerhouse with '1 Goal Conceded in 5 Matches'
Morocco national football team players celebrate after defeating Portugal 1-0 in the 2022 Qatar World Cup quarterfinals held on the 11th (Korean time) at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Behind Morocco, the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup, was an impenetrable defense.
On the 11th (Korean time), Morocco defeated Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup held at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Morocco, participating in their sixth World Cup since the 1970 Mexico tournament, reached the semifinals for the first time. Notably, Morocco became the first African country to advance to the semifinals. Previously, the African teams that reached the quarterfinals were Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002), and Ghana (2010).
The solid defense was the key behind Morocco's historic achievement. Morocco played five matches in this World Cup and conceded only one goal. Even that was an own goal by a Moroccan defender, meaning they never allowed a goal from an opposing player.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Sevilla) is saving an opponent's shot during the penalty shootout against Spain in the Round of 16 at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on the 7th. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Morocco's defensive strength shone even brighter when facing strong teams. On the 7th, in the round of 16 held at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Morocco faced the "La Furia Roja" Spain, holding only 20% possession compared to Spain's 63%, about one-third.
However, Morocco kept Spain scoreless despite Spain's high possession and won 3-0 in the penalty shootout. In this match, Spain had no shots on target in the first half and only two from set-piece situations in the second half.
Moroccan defenders blocked Spain's forwards' advancing dribbles with bold tackles without fouls and suppressed Spain's passing game in the final third (the attacking third of the pitch). From the second half, Spain brought in many attackers to strengthen the offense, but it was not enough to disrupt Morocco's defensive concentration.
Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Sevilla) also drew attention for his performance. Bounou led Morocco to the quarterfinals with miraculous saves during the penalty shootout against Spain. He also showed his guardian role in the quarterfinal match against Portugal.
In the 83rd minute, Bounou blocked Jo?o F?lix's (Atl?tico Madrid) left-footed shot and, during stoppage time, saved Cristiano Ronaldo's (unattached) right-footed shot that broke through the back space, preserving Morocco's clean sheet victory. According to the football statistics site Opta, Bounou is the first African player in history to record three clean sheets in a single World Cup.
Morocco will face the defending champions France at Al Bayt Stadium at 4 a.m. on the 15th, competing for a ticket to the final.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
