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Indonesian CNN

Sunday 11 Dec. 2022 13:55 WIB

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Morocco made an impressive score after securing passage to the semi-finals World Cup 2022.

The Atlas lion, nicknamed Morocco, never ceases to amaze. Most recently, Portugal were rendered helpless by Walid Reragui’s side at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday (10/12).

Portugal were stunned when they lost 0-1 because of a goal scored by Youssef En Neysri. Despite dominating possession, just like Morocco’s opponents in previous matches, the Selecao das Quinas could only find Yassine Bounou’s goal late in the game.

The combination of a strong defense and Bounou’s impressive performances under regulation once again led Morocco to victory. The team, which was designed by Walid Reragui, again allowed the team of potential champions to lift their bags faster.

Bounou’s impressive defensive ability and impressive performances are indeed the aspects that helped Morocco make history as the first team from the African continent to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Morocco is the only semi-finalist team with the fewest goals conceded. The record of this North African team is more flashy than Croatia, which has conceded three times, Argentina (conceded five times), and defending champion France (conceded four times).

Morocco have only conceded once in their five appearances at the 2022 World Cup. It happened when Achraf Hakimi and his friends won 2-1 against Canada in the group stage.

Interestingly, the only goal was also not created by a Canadian player. The goal that forced Bounou to recover the ball from the goal actually came from Nayef Aguerd’s own goal.

The West Ham United player scored an own goal in less dangerous situations against Canada. Aguerd’s interception as he tried to counter a cross from the left wing actually drove the ball wildly towards the goal without being able to be stemmed by Bounou.

Besides the goals scored by the players themselves, Morocco bravely stepped up with a record four clean sheets all the way to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Even in the penalty shootout win over Spain, Bounou never let his goal be conceded by a Penalty Kick from the Spaniard and won with a score of 3-0.

Morocco is now one step away from reaching the final round. The collector of an Africa Cup title will meet France in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup on Thursday (15/12) early morning WIB.

(jal/har)