{"id":3635,"date":"2022-12-13T16:38:37","date_gmt":"2022-12-13T16:38:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/world-cup-2022-meet-moroccos-unlikely-history-makers-in-qatar\/"},"modified":"2022-12-13T16:38:39","modified_gmt":"2022-12-13T16:38:39","slug":"world-cup-2022-meet-moroccos-unlikely-history-makers-in-qatar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/world-cup-2022-meet-moroccos-unlikely-history-makers-in-qatar\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2022: Meet Morocco&#8217;s unlikely history makers in Qatar"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1\">\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media story-body__media--lead\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$video-1\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0.0\"><noscript data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0.0.1\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--video\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$video-1.1\">Watch Moroccan fans celebrate historic World Cup win<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<table class=\"gs-o-table story-body__table\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2\">\n<thead class=\"gs-o-table__head gel-brevier \" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.0\">\n<tr class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.0.$row-0\"\/><\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"gel-long-primer \" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1\">\n<tr class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0\">\n<td class=\"gs-o-table__cell\" colspan=\"1\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0\"><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:0\">Host nation:<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:1\"> Qatar <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:2\">Dates: <\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:3\">20 November-18 December <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:4\">Coverage: <\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:5\">Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/60959746\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:6\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:6.0\">Day-by-day TV listings<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:7\"> &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/63489987\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:8\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:8.0\">Full coverage details<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p role=\"introduction\" class=\"qa-introduction gel-pica-bold\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3.0\">Morocco are one step from a sensational place in the World Cup final, with boss Walid Regragui embracing the &#8220;craziness&#8221; ahead of their semi-final meeting with defending champions France.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4\">\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4.0\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4.0.0\">Their achievements in Qatar, becoming the first African team to reach this stage, have come as a surprise to many, especially after the coach who led the Atlas Lions to the tournament was sacked in August.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5.0\">Arguably one of the biggest underachievers of North African football, with their sole continental title coming in 1976, Morocco&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/63692164\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5.$link-2.0\">2-0 win over Belgium<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5.3\"> in their second game in Group F was their first victory at the World Cup since 1998 &#8211; having failed to qualify for four straight tournaments immediately afterwards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6.0\">Fourteen of Morocco&#8217;s 26-man squad were born outside the country &#8211; more than any other team at the tournament &#8211; with an eclectic mix of players from growing migrant communities across Europe helping them break new ground.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7.0\">A crucial turning point for the team came just three months before the finals when Vahid Halilhodzic was sacked as coach and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/africa\/62550675\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7.$link-2.0\">replaced by Regragui,<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7.3\"> who won the domestic league and African Champions League titles with Wydad Casablanca last season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8.0\">That change has helped soothe tensions in the squad, with Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech coming out of international retirement, while the improvement on the pitch has also been remarkable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10.0\">Morocco have been vociferously backed at the first World Cup held in the Arab world and their legions of supporters will be joined by thousands more as state carrier Royal Air Maroc operates 30 special flights from Casablanca to Doha on Tuesday and Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11.0\">Estimates of the fluctuating numbers of Moroccan supporters in Qatar vary from 20,000 to as many as 40,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12.0\">The players have become heroes amid joyous victory celebrations across North Africa, and by the diaspora in Europe, but have remained grounded &#8211; exemplified by Achraf Hakimi kissing his mother after victories and winger Sofiane Boufal dancing with his on the pitch after <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/63843785\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12.$link-2.0\">beating Portugal in the quarter-finals.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-13\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-13.0\">The team have also displayed their Islamic beliefs, bowing down for sujud (prostration) in front of their fans after their progress through the knock-out rounds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-14\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-14.0\">But who makes up the side which is aiming to upset France &#8211; former colonial masters from whom Morocco gained independence in 1956 &#8211; at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday (19:00 GMT)?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"story-body__crosshead\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$crosshead-15\">Bono and the Moroccan Maldini &#8211; The case for the defence<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16.0\">Defensive solidity has been a key factor, with just one goal conceded in eight matches under Regragui &#8211; with even that being an own goal in the win over Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17.0\">Right-back <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17.$bold-1\">Hakimi <\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17.2\">is undoubtedly the squad&#8217;s poster-boy and is no stranger to Europe&#8217;s top clubs, with spells at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan already behind him at the age of 24.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18.0\">He has had to temper his attacking instincts somewhat, but the Paris St-Germain star showed a flash of his temperament and talent with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/63881031\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18.$link-2.0\">his Panenka penalty<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18.3\"> to wrap up the last-16 shoot-out win against Spain.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-19\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-19.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-19.0.0\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-19.1\">Morocco beat Spain 3-0 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the last 16, with Hakimi netting the clinching spot-kick<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.0\">Captain <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.$bold-1\">Romain Saiss,<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.2\"> called &#8216;the Moroccan Maldini&#8217; by former Wolves coach Bruno Lage, and West Ham&#8217;s <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.$bold-3\">Nayef Aguerd<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.4\"> have been rock solid at centre-back, but with both being injury doubts for the game against France, <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.$bold-5\">Jawad El Yamiq <\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.6\">and<\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.$bold-7\"> Badr Benoun<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.8\"> could be called upon to start.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-21\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-21.0\">Now playing in Spain for Real Valladolid after a stint in Italy, 30-year-old El Yamiq was part of the Morocco squad which won the African Nations Championship, a competition for domestic-based players, in 2018 while Benoun stands at 6&#8217;3&#8243; tall and was nicknamed &#8216;Sultan&#8217; by his Al Ahly team-mates before moving from the Egyptian giants to a Qatari club this year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23.0\">With Bayern Munich&#8217;s <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23.$bold-1\">Noussair Mazraoui<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23.2\"> ruled out of the quarter-final through injury, <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23.$bold-3\">Yahya Attith-Allah<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23.4\"> &#8211; one of three players in the squad from Regragui&#8217;s old club Wydad &#8211; has stepped in and looked composed despite making his international debut in March.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24.0\">Get the better of a mean defence and then you have to find a way past <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24.$bold-1\">Yassine Bounou<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24.2\">, born in Canada and known as Bono.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25.0\">Back-up in Russia four years ago, the 31-year-old was a Europa League winner with Sevilla in 2020 and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/africa\/61549409\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25.$link-2.0\">won the Zamora Trophy<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25.3\"> last season for being the top goalkeeper in Spain&#8217;s La Liga.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-26\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-26.0\">&#8220;When you have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, it gives you confidence, and Yassine gives us that,&#8221; said Regragui after his side knocked out Portugal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-27\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-27.0\">&#8220;He helped us a lot and when he gets into the game, we&#8217;re virtually unstoppable.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"story-body__crosshead\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$crosshead-28\">&#8216;Where does that boy come from?&#8217;- Hard-working midfield<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-29\"><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-29.$bold-0\">Sofyan Amrabat<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-29.1\"> has been one of the stand-out players in the run to the last four, with his relentless pressing and tough-tackling providing a solid screen to the Morocco defence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-30\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-30.0\">The younger brother of former Watford winger Nordin, whom he replaced in one game at the 2018 finals, Dutch-born Sofyan represented the Netherlands at Under-15 level and has returned to form for Fiorentina this season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-31\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-31.0\">Alongside him in centre midfield is <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-31.$bold-1\">Azzedine Ounahi <\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-31.2\">-one of four players in the squad who are products of the Mohammed VI Academy in Sale &#8211; whose strong box-to-box-displays mean he is garnering interest from some of Europe&#8217;s biggest clubs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-32\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-32.0\">&#8220;My goodness, where does that boy come from?&#8221; asked Spain boss Luis Enrique after <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/63789751\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-32.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-32.$link-2.0\">their last 16 exit on penalties.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-33\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-33.0\">&#8220;He plays like the Spanish players. He hasn&#8217;t stopped running, he must be exhausted.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-34\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-34.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-34.0.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/11E48\/production\/_127988237_cba1ba9d-9208-4e25-9eb6-6b37c4a5445f.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/11E48\/production\/_127988237_cba1ba9d-9208-4e25-9eb6-6b37c4a5445f.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/11E48\/production\/_127988237_cba1ba9d-9208-4e25-9eb6-6b37c4a5445f.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/11E48\/production\/_127988237_cba1ba9d-9208-4e25-9eb6-6b37c4a5445f.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/11E48\/production\/_127988237_cba1ba9d-9208-4e25-9eb6-6b37c4a5445f.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Azzedine Ounahi and Sofiane Boufal celebrate a win for Morocco\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-34.0.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-34.1\">Azzedine Ounahi (left) and Sofiane Boufal (right) play together for Angers, who are bottom of France&#8217;s top flight<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-35\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-35.0\">Playing for lowly Angers in France, the technical but rangy 22-year-old made his international debut in January and scored twice in the World Cup play-off win over DR Congo two months later to help Morocco qualify.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-36\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-36.0\">&#8220;Is the phone ringing? It&#8217;s ringing quite a lot,&#8221; Angers chairman Said Chabane told France&#8217;s RMC of the interest in Ounahi and countryman Boufal, who has also started every game in Qatar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-37\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-37.0\">Meanwhile, playmaker <\/span><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-37.$bold-1\">Selim Amallah,<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-37.2\"> once coveted by former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez, has also impressed even though he has not played a club game since September because of a contract stand-off with Standard Liege.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"story-body__crosshead\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$crosshead-38\">Like Giroud for France &#8211; Energy in attack<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-39\"><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-39.$bold-0\">Youssef En-Nesyri<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-39.1\"> leads the line and, despite being without a league goal for Sevilla this season, the 25-year-old has his own place in Morocco&#8217;s World Cup history books.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-40\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-40.0\">His winners <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/63739247\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-40.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-40.$link-2.0\">against Canada<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-40.3\"> and Portugal have made him his country&#8217;s all-time leading scorer at the finals with three goals, having also netted in the group-stage draw with Spain in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-41\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-41.0\">&#8220;I have always believed in Youssef because he gives great energy,&#8221; Regragui said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-42\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-42.0\">&#8220;Any coach would love him to be in their team because he works so hard for the team, like (Olivier) Giroud for France.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-43\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-43.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-43.0.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/0D51\/production\/_127990430_4bf58955-953f-4e85-8a9a-0388afd1ce02.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/0D51\/production\/_127990430_4bf58955-953f-4e85-8a9a-0388afd1ce02.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/0D51\/production\/_127990430_4bf58955-953f-4e85-8a9a-0388afd1ce02.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/0D51\/production\/_127990430_4bf58955-953f-4e85-8a9a-0388afd1ce02.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/0D51\/production\/_127990430_4bf58955-953f-4e85-8a9a-0388afd1ce02.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates his goal against Portugal\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-43.0.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-43.1\">Youssef En-Nesyri has scored from all three of his efforts on target at the World Cup finals &#8211; one in 2018 and two this year<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-44\"><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-44.$bold-0\">Ziyech<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-44.1\"> is well-known talent from his time with Ajax and Chelsea, but Regragui has got the best from a player whose club form can be inconsistent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-45\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-45.0\">The 29-year-old was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/africa\/60310321\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-45.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-45.$link-2.0\">in the international wilderness<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-45.3\"> between June 2021 and September this year after a public falling-out with Halilhodzic, but now his eight appearances at the World Cup finals is a joint national record alongside Hakimi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-46\"><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-46.$bold-0\">Boufal,<\/strong><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-46.1\"> one of two Morocco players born in France (Saiss the other), is back to his best international form while at Angers, after just three goals in 70 Premier League appearances during a four-year spell at Southampton which ended in 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-47\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-47.0\">He is among five members of the squad who ply their trade in Ligue 1, alongside Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse), Achraf Dari (Brest), Hakimki and Ounahi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-48\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-48.0\">Hakimi&#8217;s insider knowledge of France star Kylian Mbappe, a team-mate in Paris, will be a factor if Morocco can pull off what would be arguably the World Cup&#8217;s greatest upset in its history.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-49\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-49.0\">&#8220;We aren&#8217;t satisfied with the semi-final and being the first African team to do that. We want to go further,&#8221; Regragui said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-51\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:11.875%;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-51.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/46FA\/production\/_127607181_howtofollow.png\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/46FA\/production\/_127607181_howtofollow.png 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/46FA\/production\/_127607181_howtofollow.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/46FA\/production\/_127607181_howtofollow.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/46FA\/production\/_127607181_howtofollow.png 976w\" alt=\"BBC Sport app banner\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-51.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.0\">Get the latest results and goal notifications for any team at the Fifa World Cup by downloading the BBC Sport app: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/gb\/app\/bbc-sport\/id377388936\" class=\"story-body__external-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-2.0\">Apple<\/span><span class=\"gs-u-ml- gel-icon\" style=\"height:15px;width:15px;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-2.1\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-2.1.0\"><title data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-2.1.0.0\">external-link<\/title><path d=\"M12 0v5h11.5l-5 5H0v22h22V17.5l-2 2V30H2V12h14.5l-7.8 7.7 3.6 3.6L27 8.5V20h5V0H12z\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-2.1.0.1\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$bold-3\"> &#8211; <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=uk.co.bbc.android.sportdomestic&amp;hl=en_GB\" class=\"story-body__external-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-5\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-5.0\">Android<\/span><span class=\"gs-u-ml- gel-icon\" style=\"height:15px;width:15px;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-5.1\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-5.1.0\"><title data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-5.1.0.0\">external-link<\/title><path d=\"M12 0v5h11.5l-5 5H0v22h22V17.5l-2 2V30H2V12h14.5l-7.8 7.7 3.6 3.6L27 8.5V20h5V0H12z\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-5.1.0.1\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><strong data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$bold-6\"> &#8211; <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/BBC-Sport-Kindle-Tablet-Edition\/dp\/B00E7VK8DC\/\" class=\"story-body__external-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-8\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-8.0\">Amazon<\/span><span class=\"gs-u-ml- gel-icon\" style=\"height:15px;width:15px;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-8.1\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-8.1.0\"><title data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-8.1.0.0\">external-link<\/title><path d=\"M12 0v5h11.5l-5 5H0v22h22V17.5l-2 2V30H2V12h14.5l-7.8 7.7 3.6 3.6L27 8.5V20h5V0H12z\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.$link-8.1.0.1\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-53\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:1.5368852459016393%;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-53.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/10A4A\/production\/_127607186_bbc_sport_yellow_footer.png\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/10A4A\/production\/_127607186_bbc_sport_yellow_footer.png 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/10A4A\/production\/_127607186_bbc_sport_yellow_footer.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/10A4A\/production\/_127607186_bbc_sport_yellow_footer.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/10A4A\/production\/_127607186_bbc_sport_yellow_footer.png 976w\" alt=\"BBC Sport banner\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-53.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-54\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:11.875%;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-54.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/17B92\/production\/_127607179__112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/17B92\/production\/_127607179__112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/17B92\/production\/_127607179__112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/17B92\/production\/_127607179__112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/17B92\/production\/_127607179__112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png 976w\" alt=\"BBC Sounds logo\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-54.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-55\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-55.0\">Get your daily dose of Fifa World Cup reaction, debate &amp; analysis with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/brand\/p02nrsln\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-55.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-55.$link-2.0\">World Cup Daily<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-55.3\"> on BBC Sounds<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-56\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:1.7187500000000002%;\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-56.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/BC2A\/production\/_127607184_soundsfooter-nc.png\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/BC2A\/production\/_127607184_soundsfooter-nc.png 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/BC2A\/production\/_127607184_soundsfooter-nc.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/BC2A\/production\/_127607184_soundsfooter-nc.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/BC2A\/production\/_127607184_soundsfooter-nc.png 976w\" alt=\"Around the BBC footer - Sounds\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".5j0u7s0myi.0.0.0.1.$image-56.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/africa\/63945323?at_medium=RSS&#038;at_campaign=KARANGA\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Watch Moroccan fans celebrate historic World Cup win Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Day-by-day TV listings &#8211; Full coverage details Morocco are one step from a sensational place in the World Cup final, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3636,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[21,18],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3635"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3635"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3635\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3637,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3635\/revisions\/3637"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}