Four years ago in Russia, none of the five African teams that participated in the World Cup made it past the group stage. They all fell at the first exchange, leaving a very bitter taste for the continent. Nothing to do with what is happening in Qatar, where the African representation has equaled the all-time high of qualifiers in the round of 16: two as in 2014.
As then, there will be, at least, one sub-Saharan country and another from the Maghreb. In Brazil, it was Nigeria and Algeria. Now Senegal and Morocco have already qualified, which reached the qualifying rounds undefeated and first in a group with the second (Croatia) and third (Belgium) classified from the last major event.
There’s nothing like starting a party with a gift. The ‘lions of Atlas’ did not miss out on it, as the game turned upside down very soon, in the 4th minute. The worst thing that can happen to a team at the start is that the central defender and the goalkeeper have a serious problem of understanding. A bad back pass from Vitória towards his goalkeeper was followed by a clearance from Borjan that was neither a rebound nor a pass. The result was that the ball landed at Ziyech’s feet and the winger scored with a long shot full of class and precision, over the entire Canadian defence.
Canada has left a good impression in attack, with Davies, Buchanan or Hoilett, but their rear guard leaves a lot to be desired, showing signs of the inexperience typical of growing teams. Quite the opposite of Morocco, an armed team that knows how to jump on the rival’s weaknesses. With a long pass from Achraf for En-Nesyri’s career, it was enough to dismast the entire North American defense. The Sevilla player, with power, was faster than Miller and Vitória, controlled the delivery and shot Borjan too easily.
While Bayern left-back Davies moves where he wants in the Canadian attacking front, his Munich teammate Mazraoui, a lifelong right winger, is capable of sacrificing himself and playing on the left. That speaks of the seriousness of Morocco.
Aguerd’s own goal, which deflected Adekugbe’s cross and totally misled Bono, complicated what was aiming for a placid victory. And even more after the referee annulled the third to En-Nesyri due to a positional offside by a teammate who was in the trajectory of the shot.
The second part was a want and I can’t from Canada, as jovial and funny as it was unwise. Hutchinson took a corner to the crossbar and the ball bounced over Bono’s line and, on the rebound, Amallah unbalanced Johntson enough in the air that he could not score. A Canadian goal returned Morocco to second place. But the whole team defended until the end an unexpected but hard-earned lead. Canada says goodbye until 2026, its World Cup, without adding any points. Those of Regragui want to make history in this one where they are already the revelation.
Canada: Borjan, Hoilett (Wotherspoon 76), Johnston, Vitória, Miller, Adekugbe (Kone 61), Osorio (Laryea 65), Kaye (Hutchinson 60), Buchanan, Larin (David 60) and Davies.
Marruecos: Bono, Hakimi (Jabrane 85), Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui, Amrabat, Ounahi (El Yamiq 77), Sabiri (Amallah 65), Ziyech (Amdallah 76), En-Nesyri y Boufal (Aboukhlal 65).
Goals: 0-1 Ziyech (4), 0-2. En-Nesyri (23), 1-2. Agreed (p.p) (40).
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA) admonished Hoilett (m.7), Osorio (m.26) and Vitoria (m.85), Adekugbe (m.45 2) for Canada.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the third day of the group stage of Group F played at the Al Zumama Stadium (Doha).
