Four years ago, Morocco thought they had their first point before losing in what still seemed like a long extra time against Iran on a goal against their camp in the 90th + 5. This failed start, the Atlas Lions had never caught up to him and finished last in their group.
This time, on the lawn of Al-Bayt Stadium, Walid Regragui's men left the stadium with their heads held high after defeating the Croatian vice-world champions (0-0).
The game was not exceptional for neutral spectators.
But the many Moroccan supporters will remember the excess of energy of their proteges.
In the bowels of the stadium of the city of Al-Khor, the dark and closed faces of the Croats attested that, for them, all had not gone as planned.
“If we are frank, you should not believe that Morocco was a weak team, admits defender Dejan Lovren.
Look at the names of the clubs where Moroccans play and you will have understood.
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They were nevertheless relieved.
Like Selim Amallah the midfielder of Standard de Liège.
"The whole team had a good game," he said.
Not much is missing for a win.
We will have to look for opponents much higher to score and also to be effective.
It was not anyone in front.
This point is deserved.
It is precious and allows us to enter the competition well.
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"We all wanted to win, but let's not be choosy"
Sofiane Boufal, who is having a hard time with her club Angers in Ligue 1, was also delighted.
"We all wanted to win, but let's not be choosy," he smiles.
Inch'Allah, this point will count for the rest.
We had prepared for a complicated match.
For many, it was the first World Cup.
There was anxiety and pressure.
And Croatia, it's hard because this team loves to have possession of the ball.
“ But Boufal sees further: “Now we will have to show more offensive things against Belgium.
This point will give us confidence.
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Romain Saïss, the defender of Besiktas, also wants to believe in a more golden destiny than four years ago.
“It was really a big team in front and we were able to close the spaces in midfield, deciphers the ex-Le Havre.
Now we have to be more ambitious in recovering the ball.
At the same time, we made so much effort for this that it weighed on our lucidity.
It's something that needs to be worked on.
We know how important the first match is in a World Cup.
The objective remains to pass the first round.
Now, you have to recover physically from these great efforts.
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