Morocco’s national football team has been making waves on the international scene, with a series of impressive performances in recent games. Known as the Atlas Lions, the team has a rich history in African football, having won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976. However, their recent run of form has been particularly noteworthy, with a string of victories that have put them back in the spotlight. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the key games that have contributed to Morocco’s resurgence on the global football stage.
The Road to the 2018 World Cup
Morocco’s journey to the 2018 World Cup was marked by a series of impressive performances, which saw them go unbeaten in their qualifying campaign. They finished top of their group, ahead of the likes of Ivory Coast and Gabon, and secured their place at the tournament in Russia with a game to spare. One of the standout performances of the campaign came in their 6-0 victory over Mali, with Hakim Ziyech scoring twice in a dominant display.
The 2018 World Cup
Morocco’s return to the World Cup after a 20-year absence was eagerly anticipated, and the Atlas Lions did not disappoint. Despite being drawn in a tough group alongside Spain, Portugal, and Iran, they put in a series of strong performances that belied their underdog status. They narrowly lost to Iran in their opening game, but bounced back with a 1-0 win over Portugal, courtesy of a stunning strike from Ziyech. Although they were ultimately eliminated at the group stage, their performances earned them plaudits from fans and pundits alike.
The Africa Cup of Nations 2019
Morocco’s success at the 2018 World Cup was followed up by an impressive showing at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. They topped their group with three wins out of three, before beating Benin and Ivory Coast in the knockout stages. However, their run was ultimately halted by a 1-0 defeat to eventual champions Algeria in the quarter-finals. Despite the disappointment of the defeat, the Atlas Lions once again showed that they are a force to be reckoned with in African football.
Recent Performances
Morocco’s recent form has been nothing short of exceptional, with a series of convincing victories that have seen them climb up the FIFA rankings. In their most recent game, they beat Sudan 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier, with goals from Youssef En-Nesyri and Achraf Hakimi. This followed a 3-1 victory over Guinea in their opening qualifier. The Atlas Lions will be hoping to maintain this form as they look to secure their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Conclusion
Morocco’s national football team has had a rich and storied history, and their recent run of form has been particularly impressive. They have shown that they are more than capable of competing with the best teams in the world, and their performances have earned them a legion of fans across the globe. With a talented squad and a strong team spirit, the future looks bright for the Atlas Lions.
FAQs
- When did Morocco last win the Africa Cup of Nations? Morocco last won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976.
- Who is Morocco’s all-time top scorer? The all-time top scorer for Morocco is Ahmed Faras, who scored 42 goals for the national team.
- Who is Morocco’s current manager? The current manager of Morocco’s national football team is Vahid Halilhodzic.
- Who is Morocco’s most-capped player? Badou Zaki holds the record for the most appearances for Morocco, with 112 caps.
- When is the 2022 World Cup taking place? The 2022 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, 2022.