World Cup: for the second time in its history, Morocco is qualified for the round of 16

It was the first match of this World Cup where they arrived as favorites, and that absolutely did not bother them.

Morocco did the job by beating Canada on Thursday afternoon (2-1) and their good Qatari trajectory now takes them to the round of 16.

A historic performance for the Atlas Lions coming out of a World Cup group for the second time in their history.

And that by coming out at the top of a pool where the finalist and a semi-finalist from the last edition appeared thanks to the draw between Croats and Belgians (0-0).

After blocking Croatia (0-0) and dominating Belgium (2-1), the North Africans completed this first part of the competition by dominating, not really serenely, Canada, which left Qatar with zero points.

The Canucks are not helped, with a nice entrance gift to their opponents.

A more than approximate exit from goalkeeper Borjan, a beautifully adjusted lob from Ziyech, and Morocco come off straight away (1-0, 4th).

With the second goal of Youssef En-Nesyri 2-0, 23rd), ideally served by the right side of PSG Achraf Hakimi, we say that Morocco is heading straight for a quiet success.

[🎞️VIDEO - ⚽️BUT] 🏆 #FIFAWorldCup

🇨🇦🇲🇦 𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐌𝐄!!

𝟒 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐣𝐞𝐮 𝐞𝐭 𝐙𝐢𝐲𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐯𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝'𝐮𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐛 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐞 !!!

⚡️⚡️

😱 And what a mistake by the Canadian goalkeeper!!#CANMAR #beINFWC2022 pic.twitter.com/FIH1auFes9

— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) December 1, 2022

But Canada, revived by an own-goal from Aguerd (40th), never let go of the matter, delivering a much more successful second period where the Moroccans only retreated too much.

It was laborious, sometimes very hot like on this header from Atiba Hutchinson (71st) which came crashing down on Yassine Bounou's goal line, but Morocco bowed down to hold on to their victory.

A possible remake against Germany in the eighth

Now here is this still undefeated team heading towards the very exciting stage of knockout matches.

The Moroccans will know their opponent in the evening, where Group E will give its verdict.

Tuesday (4 p.m.), the Atlas Lions could face Germany for what would be a nice historic wink.

In 1986, West Germany ousted Morocco for the Maghreb outfit's only foray at this stage of the competition.

But this generation, overjoyed at the final whistle, is above all writing its own history.