Sunday March 26, 2023
Saturday’s game against Brazil was a testament that Morocco’s national team is “building on the Qatar World Cup momentum.”
Rabat - Following Morocco’s stellar 2-1 win against five-time World Cup champion Brazil, the national team’s coach, Walid Regragui, expressed his delight at the Atlas Lions’ most recent achievement.
“We beat Brazil, in the middle of Ramadan, after the Tarawih prayer, It's crazy,” Regragui said while commenting on the result.
The team rose to international prominence in the Qatar World Cup 2022, defeating world-class teams including Spain, Belgium, and Portugal, and for the first time in history, the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
The Saturday game against Brazil was a testament that Morocco’s national team is “building on the Qatar World Cup momentum,” striker Soufiane Boufal said following the game.
Boufal scored the opening goal in the game in the 29th minute marking a precedent in football history, it was the first time Morocco's national team scored against football giant Brazil.
“We're still dreaming! We're continuing our momentum from the World Cup and it's a pleasure,” Boufal said.
In addition to winning the match, the team attracted widespread attention for their outstanding teamwork, with a video of Regragui encouraging Hakim Ziyech after missing a goal going viral.
Ziyech delivered a spectacular performance against Brazil’s top players that caught the attention of football fans worldwide as well as international media. His performance was celebrated by his club Chelsea, as they highlighted the important role he played in securing Morocco’s win against Brazil.
“The Moroccan coach was able to reunite the players and instill faith and fighting spirit in them, leading the Atlas Lions to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ semi-finals after less than 3 months of taking charge,” FIFA wrote.