A DJ played Arabic tunes to get the audience pumped up for the World Cup’s Group F match, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.
The star-studded Belgian Red Devils, one of the tournament favorites and now rated second in the world, were facing 22nd-ranked Morocco.
Nobody offered us a chance. Belgium would embarrass us, everyone claimed. After Morocco shocked Belgium 2-0, Othmane Benjelloun, holding back tears, exclaimed, “But we beat them.
“For us, this is a dream. We acted courageously and refused to relax. Our players sensed our strong backing because we had faith in our team. History is what you see here, he continued, finally allowing tears to fall down his cheeks.
It was Morocco’s 18th World Cup game overall and 14th versus a European team. In their most recent 11 World Cup group stage matches against European nations, the North Africans have won two and drawn six.
Morocco’s last World Cup victory came in a matchup with Scotland in 1998.
The starting lineup for Belgium featured several well-known players, including the talented midfielder Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City, Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid, the current winner of the Yashin trophy awarded to the top goalkeeper in the world, and Eden Hazard of Belgium, who was in charge of the attack.
However, neither the thousands of Atlas Lions supporters wearing green and red nor their team was deterred. They thought this was their chance. They continuously applauded, sang, and waved the blue and green national flag. The noise level inside the arena was deafening.
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“Wonderful day. Our strategies worked well. We launched attacks when it was appropriate and launched defenses as needed. Adel Ez-Zaidi, a spectator from Frankfurt, Germany, claimed, “We made them tired.
“You could sense today would be exceptional all day. Even before the game began, we were optimistic. To each of us, this is important. It was like a beautiful dream. Before racing off to join other supporters at the entertainment area outside the stadium, he continued, “You don’t want it to end or wake up from it.
Morocco admirers
The encounter was Morocco’s 14th against a European opponent and their 18th overall in the World Cup [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
The Moroccan players showed from the first whistle that they were up for the challenge of defeating one of the most feared teams in the competition.
They pressed in on the Belgians at every chance and sprinted into the tackles. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi set the pace with his lung-busting dashes, his lengthy strides covering every square inch of the grass as they attempted to penetrate the Belgian defense.
Hanan Rahho, who traveled from Neuss, Germany, for the championship game, said of the players, “With their performance today, they demonstrated how much they care and how much it means to play for our country.” Hakimi was visible throughout. We can achieve more with players like them. Everything is conceivable. It shows a lot of promise. If we win the World Cup, I won’t be shocked.
“I’ve never felt anything better. In addition to winning, we demonstrated that we belonged on top of a fantastic squad. She said, covering her face with her hands, “I feel like sobbing.
Not just Moroccans supported the Atlas Lions’ victory over Belgium. Many flags from Tunisia, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Omani could be seen in the crowd supporting the North Africans.
“What they accomplished was fantastic. They have my utmost admiration. This day will never be forgotten. No Arab will ever forget, according to Palestinian Imad Azaizeh, who traveled to Dammam in Saudi Arabia to support Morocco.
They are the World Cup’s underdog. They are capable of everything they set their minds to, and we will always be there for them.
On Thursday, Canada will be its next opponent Morocco, and the crowd is cheering at Al Thumama Stadium, eagerly anticipating the contest.
“After seeing how we played today, Canada won’t want to compete against us. Nobody will want to play against us. Wiping away his tears of delight, Benjelloun declared, “We are the lions from the Atlas Mountains.
