Brave Morocco suffer World Cup heartbreak after being edged out by France
Morocco’s redoubtable resistance was finally broken, and they were beaten, but certainly not bowed.
What a team they are, even in defeat, even when France forged forward into another final, perhaps into the record books as the first country in 60 years to successfully defend a World Cup. They will keep hold of the title they all want above anything else if they beat Argentina in Sunday's final.
It wasn’t Kylian Mbappe, or Olivier Giroud, or even Antoine Griezmann that settled this semi-final at a raucous and red Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night. But Theo Hernandez, the full-back who in all honesty deputises for his brother, and little-used substitute Randal Kolo Muani. To be fair to Hernandez, at least, he took his goal like a master marksman.
It arrived on five minutes, the first goal Morocco conceded in Qatar from an opposing player - it took only six matches, and then some – and the second 44 seconds after Kolo Muani’s introduction. With 11 minutes remaining, and 2-0 down, Morocco could not summon another Herculean effort.
Still, what they have given this tournament, given Africa and the Arab world, trailblazers for both. Their unwavering belief, the unremitting commitment to the cause, a dogged disregard for the old order. Their dancing mothers.
They have been a pleasure and a precedent; something to cherish, a reason to rally behind and to rail against the role of underdog, any sense of not belonging. They still have third place to play for, against Croatia on Saturday, mind.
When all is said and done, the dust settled in Doha after a World Cup full of the extraordinary, what an accomplishment that would be. What an accomplishment it already is.
Remember, they were hamstrung here by Nayef Aguerd’s withdrawal before kick-off, captain Romain Saiss’ substitution 20 minutes in, even Noussair Mazraoui’s inability to return for the second half. Three quarters of the previously impregnable defence.
Morocco’s redoubtable resistance was finally broken, and they were beaten, but certainly not bowed.
What a team they are, even in defeat, even when France forged forward into another final, perhaps into the record books as the first country in 60 years to successfully defend a World Cup. They will keep hold of the title they all want above anything else if they beat Argentina in Sunday's final.
It wasn’t Kylian Mbappe, or Olivier Giroud, or even Antoine Griezmann that settled this semi-final at a raucous and red Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night. But Theo Hernandez, the full-back who in all honesty deputises for his brother, and little-used substitute Randal Kolo Muani. To be fair to Hernandez, at least, he took his goal like a master marksman.
It arrived on five minutes, the first goal Morocco conceded in Qatar from an opposing player - it took only six matches, and then some – and the second 44 seconds after Kolo Muani’s introduction. With 11 minutes remaining, and 2-0 down, Morocco could not summon another Herculean effort.
Still, what they have given this tournament, given Africa and the Arab world, trailblazers for both. Their unwavering belief, the unremitting commitment to the cause, a dogged disregard for the old order. Their dancing mothers.
They have been a pleasure and a precedent; something to cherish, a reason to rally behind and to rail against the role of underdog, any sense of not belonging. They still have third place to play for, against Croatia on Saturday, mind.
When all is said and done, the dust settled in Doha after a World Cup full of the extraordinary, what an accomplishment that would be. What an accomplishment it already is.
Remember, they were hamstrung here by Nayef Aguerd’s withdrawal before kick-off, captain Romain Saiss’ substitution 20 minutes in, even Noussair Mazraoui’s inability to return for the second half. Three quarters of the previously impregnable defence.
Morocco’s redoubtable resistance was finally broken, and they were beaten, but certainly not bowed.
What a team they are, even in defeat, even when France forged forward into another final, perhaps into the record books as the first country in 60 years to successfully defend a World Cup. They will keep hold of the title they all want above anything else if they beat Argentina in Sunday's final.
It wasn’t Kylian Mbappe, or Olivier Giroud, or even Antoine Griezmann that settled this semi-final at a raucous and red Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night. But Theo Hernandez, the full-back who in all honesty deputises for his brother, and little-used substitute Randal Kolo Muani. To be fair to Hernandez, at least, he took his goal like a master marksman.
It arrived on five minutes, the first goal Morocco conceded in Qatar from an opposing player - it took only six matches, and then some – and the second 44 seconds after Kolo Muani’s introduction. With 11 minutes remaining, and 2-0 down, Morocco could not summon another Herculean effort.
Still, what they have given this tournament, given Africa and the Arab world, trailblazers for both. Their unwavering belief, the unremitting commitment to the cause, a dogged disregard for the old order. Their dancing mothers.
They have been a pleasure and a precedent; something to cherish, a reason to rally behind and to rail against the role of underdog, any sense of not belonging. They still have third place to play for, against Croatia on Saturday, mind.
When all is said and done, the dust settled in Doha after a World Cup full of the extraordinary, what an accomplishment that would be. What an accomplishment it already is.
Remember, they were hamstrung here by Nayef Aguerd’s withdrawal before kick-off, captain Romain Saiss’ substitution 20 minutes in, even Noussair Mazraoui’s inability to return for the second half. Three quarters of the previously impregnable defence.
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Brave Morocco suffer World Cup heartbreak after being edged out by France
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