What is Morocco’s best ever performance at a World Cup?
Morocco have competed at six World Cups; we take a look back at the 2022 surprise package’s overall record at the tournament.
Morocco’s heroic World Cup campaign was brought to an end on Wednesday, as the Atlas Lions fell to a 2-0 semi-final defeat to holders France.
Hernández, Kolo Muani end Moroccan dream
Theo Hernández’s goal gave the French an early lead at Al Bayt Stadium, before substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed victory with a late tap-in. Les Bleus now progress to Sunday’s final against Argentina at Lusail Stadium, where they can become the first team to win back-to-back global crowns since Brazil in 1962.
Best ever finish at a World Cup
For the Moroccans, a last-four finish is their best ever performance at a World Cup; indeed, it’s the best ever performance by any African nation. No team from the continent had previously made it to the semi-finals of the men’s game’s most prestigious international tournament.
It now remains to be determined whether Morocco will take third or fourth place in Qatar: Walid Regragui’s men face Croatia for the bronze medal at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
Morocco the story of Qatar 2022
Whatever happens this weekend, though, the Moroccans have clearly been the success story of the tournament, beyond even the eventual trophy winners.
They have, after all, achieved a significant piece of history by breaking African football’s quarter-final ceiling. What’s more, they have been responsible for eliminating Belgium, Spain and Portugal - three top 10-ranked, heavyweight sides who are regulars in the latter stages of major tournaments.
And no team has defended better at this World Cup. Morocco have kept four clean sheets in six games so far, more than any other side at the tournament, and had conceded just once before facing France. That was an own goal by Nayef Aguerd - so Hernández’s strike for the French was the first time that goalkeeper Bono had been beaten by an opposition player in Qatar.
The Moroccans’ total of three goals conceded is lower than each of the other three teams that have played six games at World Cup 2022. Argentina have let in four; France, five; and Croatia, six.
Morocco’s previous best: last 16 at Mexico ‘86
Before World Cup 2022, the Moroccans had only reached the knockout stages once in five attempts. That was at the 1986 finals in Mexico, where they topped their group ahead of England, Poland and Portugal. Pitted against West Germany in the last 16, they ran Die Mannschaft close in San Nicolás, but were beaten 1-0 by an 88th-minute Lothar Matthäus strike.
In their four other appearances at the World Cup - in 1970, 1994, 1998 and 2018 - the Atlas Lions exited the tournament in the group stage.
Morocco’s record at World Cups: at a glance
- Mexico 1970: group stage
- Mexico 1986: last 16
- USA 1994: group stage
- France 1998: group stage
- Russia 2018: group stage
- Qatar 2022: semi-finals