Morocco invites itself to the feast! The big nations have carved out the lion’s share in the quarter-finals of the World Cup-2022, with enticing clashes on Friday and Saturday, such as England-France or the Netherlands-Argentina, and a spoilsport, the Atlas Lions, qualified for the first time in their history.
Morocco’s historic penalty shootout victory against Spain on Tuesday (0-0 aet, 3 pens to 0) upset a final table where, until then, the big nations had held their rank, from Brazil to Argentina. via France or Portugal, which crushed Switzerland (6-1).
With Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench at the start of the game, it was young Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos who shone with a hat-trick.
In line with the early eliminations of Belgium (2nd in the world) or Germany (11th ) in the group stage, the exit of Spain (7th ) confirms that this atypical World Cup in its calendar, its programming, and its geography still holds surprises.
This is a historic achievement for Morocco, which equals the best performance of an African nation at the World Cup, and can now hope for an unprecedented last four.
“It’s historic for Morocco, it’s historic for Africa. We said that we had come to represent Africa, and we saw that our level had increased”, savored the Moroccan coach Walid Regragui at the microphone of beIN Sports.
“Breaking European Domination”
In 2018, the quarters had come down to a showdown between Europe and South America. Four years later, Morocco broke this duopoly, even if the number of qualified European nations (5 out of 8) fuels the risk of seeing the stranglehold of the Old Continent continue, as in each edition since 2002.
Brazil and Argentina, of course, disagree.
Carried respectively by Neymar and Lionel Messi, the Canarinha and the Albiceleste believe in their chances in this tournament which is undoubtedly the last opportunity for “Ney” or for “Leo” to reach the Grail.
“The World Cup in Qatar is a great opportunity to break European domination,” Cafu, a former defender and captain of the Brazilian world champions in 2002, told AFP before the tournament.
After three weeks of competition, and a first-round that FIFA President Gianni Infantino simply described as “the best group stage in history” on Tuesday, Brazil impressed with their attacking strength and defensive rigor, despite ten days of absence for Neymar, hit in an ankle. Argentina, it is gaining momentum after its initial and unexpected setback against Saudi Arabia (2-1).
But beware of their opponents in the quarters: Croatia, vice-world champion in 2018 and still guided by their master to play Luka Modric, remains a very big piece on the road to Brazil on Friday.
Ditto for the Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, a disciplined and consistent team capable of outsmarting Lionel Scaloni’s team.
“It will be a very good match between two historic selections. Unfortunately, one of them will have to leave,” commented the Argentine coach.
“Obsession” for Mbappé
Van Gaal, a semi-finalist on the Oranje bench in 2014, already sees further: “I have been saying it for a year: we can be world champions. I’m not saying we will, but we can.”
The height of bad luck for the South American nations: in the event of qualification for the last four, Brazil and Argentina will meet in the semi-finals for revenge for the 2021 Copa América final won by the Albiceleste (1-0).
Saturday, place for a high-flying “crunch” between France, the reigning world champion, and England, vice-champion of Europe.
The fans see it above all as a duel between the striker of the Blues Kylian Mbappé, the top scorer of the tournament (5 goals), and the center forward of the Three Lions Harry Kane, the best passer (3 assists).
“Of course, this World Cup is an obsession, it’s the competition of my dreams,” reacted Mbappé after his double in the round of 16 against Poland (3-1), admitting to having “built” his season for this objective, “whether physically or mentally”.
Can the Blues become the first nation to retain their world title since Pelé’s Brazil in 1962? It will already be necessary to tame the English in the quarters, before thinking of a possible semi-final against the winner of the duel between Morocco and Portugal.
Before that, the teams in this top 8 took a welcome break, enjoying who the families came to Doha, who BBQs in residences, and who local attractions were.
The Belgian Eden Hazard, took advantage of this period without a match to announce his international retirement following the elimination of the Red Devils in the first round.
“A page is turned today… Thank you for your love. Thank you for your unparalleled support. Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008. I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you,” the 31-year-old Real Madrid striker wrote on Instagram after 14 years of loyal service.
