Following Morocco’s victory over the Netherlands in a World Cup last-32 tie, celebrations erupted in various Dutch cities, though some areas also reported disturbances. The match, which ended in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, saw the Atlas Lions advance to the next round.

In Amsterdam, the Moroccan community celebrated joyously in the early morning hours. Car horns sounded throughout the city, and fans waved flags, with many Dutch supporters reportedly congratulating their opponents. Police presence on Mercatorplein square, a site of past disturbances, noted a peaceful atmosphere.

However, the mood in The Hague was different. Reports from the Dutch public broadcaster NOS indicated that police were targeted with bottles and fireworks. Regional news station Omroep West stated that at least 10 individuals, believed to be Morocco fans, were arrested in The Hague following attacks on police. Additionally, the newspaper Algemeen Dagblad reported that four Morocco fans were arrested in Rotterdam, though the reasons for these arrests were not specified.

Match details and player reactions

The game, held in Monterrey, Mexico, saw Nathan Ake start for the Dutch side. Morocco, who were semi-finalists in the previous World Cup, posed a significant threat throughout the match. Achraf Hakimi, earning his 100th cap, hit the crossbar, and Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made several key saves to keep the score level for a significant period.

The Netherlands took the lead with a goal from Cody Gakpo. However, Issa Diop’s powerful header in stoppage time brought the African side level. The match remained 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders remained on the bench during the game.

During the shootout, the Dutch missed three of their spot-kicks. Ismail Saibari converted the decisive penalty, securing a 3-2 victory for Morocco. This win means Morocco will now face Canada in the last-16. Other teams that progressed to the next round include Brazil and Paraguay, who defeated Japan and Germany, respectively.

Community and political context

The match carried significant social undertones in the Netherlands, home to approximately 440,000 people of Moroccan descent. The question of who to support was widely discussed, often in a good-natured manner. Former manager Ron Jans and pundit Ibrahim Afellay, who was capped 53 times for the Netherlands, publicly discussed the dilemma, with Afellay expressing support for Morocco.

The debate surrounding loyalty has been heightened by political figures. Far-right politician Geert Wilders, known for his criticism of the Moroccan community in the Netherlands, posted an AI-generated image on X depicting himself giving a red card to a Morocco player before the game. After Morocco’s triumph, Wilders used X to congratulate the team. The discussion on social cohesion is expected to continue, though the camaraderie observed among fans in Amsterdam highlighted a more positive reality compared to online discourse.

Several players of Moroccan heritage born in the Netherlands, including Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, and Anass Salah-Eddine, chose to represent Morocco. This decision has been linked by some Dutch-Moroccan players to the rise of right-wing populist parties. Despite the multicultural composition of Ronald Koeman’s squad, it has been over a decade since a player of Moroccan heritage represented the Netherlands.

Morocco’s strong performance in the match, where they were considered superior to the Netherlands, further solidified their position in international football. They are currently ranked sixth in FIFA’s rankings, one place above their opponents.

The match also saw Jorrel Hato make his World Cup debut for the Netherlands, coming on as a substitute with four minutes remaining in normal time.

Source: theguardian.com

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First-half drama in Atlanta

The World Cup Group C match between Morocco and Haiti in Atlanta saw an eventful first half, with both teams finding the back of the net multiple times. The game kicked off in Atlanta with a scrappy start, as Morocco dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances in the opening minutes. Haiti, meanwhile, focused on pressing the AFCON champions and closing down their play.

The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute when Lenny Joseph put Haiti ahead with a flick. This came after good work down the right wing by Duverne, whose cross evaded the goalkeeper, allowing Joseph to score. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Haitian fans.

Morocco responded to the early setback, with Achraf Hakimi equalising in the 33rd minute. A crossfield ball from Diaz found El Khannouss, whose cross was parried by Placide. Hakimi then capitalised on the loose ball to stab it home. Before Hakimi’s goal, Placide had made a brilliant double-save in the 27th minute, first denying Hakimi and then El Kaabi.

Haiti regained the lead in the 39th minute through Wilson Isidor. After a cross was only partially cleared by the Morocco defence, Isidor took a touch and unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner, described as a ‘screamer’. However, Morocco quickly drew level again just before half-time. In the 43rd minute, I. Saibari scored after a sweeping move down the right flank, with Hakimi cutting the ball back for Saibari to tuck it into the bottom corner.

Group C context and team form

This match marks the first competitive encounter between Morocco and Haiti. Morocco entered the tournament as the reigning AFCON champions and had reached the semi-finals of the World Cup four years prior, indicating their strong tournament pedigree. They are considered the stronger side on paper. Haiti, in contrast, is making its first World Cup appearance since 1974 and was looking for its first point in the tournament.

In terms of recent form, Morocco arrived in Atlanta with a strong record, having secured three wins and two draws in their last five matches, conceding only two goals during this period. Their recent results include a 1-0 World Cup victory over Scotland and a 1-1 draw with Brazil. Prior to the tournament, they had achieved significant wins, including 4-0 against Madagascar and 5-0 against Burundi, alongside a 1-1 friendly draw with Norway. This run saw them score 12 goals across five games, highlighting their attacking prowess.

Haiti’s recent performances have been more challenging. Their last five matches show one win, one draw, and three losses. They suffered a 3-0 World Cup defeat to Brazil and a 1-0 loss to Scotland. A 1-2 friendly defeat to Peru was followed by a 4-0 win over New Zealand, which was their best result in this sequence, and a 1-1 draw with Iceland. Across these five matches, Haiti scored six goals and conceded seven.

Tactical considerations and player performances

Morocco’s manager, Mohamed Ouahbi, faced a decision regarding his lineup for this final Group C match. With four points already secured, which would likely guarantee a spot in the last 32, he could consider resting key players. The team has been noted for its efficiency, having nullified Brazil and Scotland for significant portions of their previous games, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Brazil and a 1-0 win over Scotland. Morocco has a strong defensive record, having conceded only four goals in their last 11 internationals.

Haiti’s coach, Sebastien Migne, was expected to give more squad players an opportunity, especially as Haiti had already been eliminated from the tournament. Despite their elimination, Haiti showed resilience, creating more chances than Scotland in their 1-0 loss and avoiding a heavy defeat against Brazil even after early mistakes. Dominique Simon, a French-born player currently with Pardubice, was expected to start after a strong performance coming off the bench against Brazil. Simon had one shot on target in that game and was seen as a player who could test Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.

Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan right-back, was also highlighted for his offensive contributions, having taken three shots against Brazil and two against Scotland. His ability to get forward and contribute to attacks was evident in the build-up to Saibari’s equaliser. The match was played at Atlanta Stadium, also known as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta.

The match was broadcast on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK, with kick-off scheduled for 11pm BST on Wednesday, June 24.

Source: tntsports.co.uk

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Morocco’s World Cup preparations marred by injuries

The Morocco national team concluded their World Cup preparations with a 1-1 draw against Norway, a match that unfortunately brought new injury concerns for the squad. The team is set to compete in Group C of the tournament, alongside Scotland, Brazil, and Haiti. Their opening fixture is scheduled for Saturday night against Brazil in New York.

During the friendly match against Norway in New Jersey, two key players, left-back Nouassir Mazraoui and winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, were forced to leave the pitch due to injuries. These incidents have added to the team’s worries as they approach the start of the major international competition.

Mazraoui, a defender, was substituted just 17 minutes into the game, with Youssef Belammari taking his place. Reports indicate that the severity of his injury is not yet clear, though he experienced discomfort before being replaced. Later in the match, Ezzalzouli, who had been instrumental in the team’s early attacking play, was taken off at half-time due to a slight muscle strain, with Soufiane Rahimi coming on.

The match saw Morocco open the scoring in the seventh minute through a low finish from Brahim Diaz, following good work from Ezzalzouli. The Moroccan side appeared to be the stronger team in the first half. However, after several substitutions, Norway managed to regroup in the second period, with Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard scoring to level the match. Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard also made an appearance for Norway, earning his eighth cap.

Concerns over key players

Beyond the recent injuries to Mazraoui and Ezzalzouli, Morocco‘s head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, is also awaiting updates on the fitness of first-choice centre-half Nayef Aguerd. Aguerd was absent from the friendly against Norway, having not played since early March due to a groin problem. His availability for the upcoming World Cup remains uncertain.

Coach Ouahbi addressed Aguerd‘s situation last week, stating that the player is following a specific protocol. He mentioned that there is still time to make a decision regarding Aguerd‘s participation and that the team is not taking any risks with his recovery. Ouahbi also noted the presence of Marwane Saadane as an alternative, suggesting confidence in the team’s defensive options regardless of Aguerd‘s status.

The injury to Ezzalzouli, a Real Betis forward, occurred after a physical sequence during the match. His visible discomfort led to immediate concern from the Moroccan bench, necessitating an early tactical change. Medical evaluations are expected to determine the exact nature of his injury, specifically whether it is a muscle strain or a more severe tear.

Mazraoui, a defender, was in action for Morocco as part of their preparations for the World Cup. He was forced off the pitch at the Sports Illustrated Stadium during the friendly. Prior to the tournament, Mazraoui had spoken about the upcoming matches with his club teammates, including discussions about facing players like Matheus Cunha from Brazil.

Team expectations and tournament outlook

Morocco‘s campaign in Group C will begin against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday night. The team’s expectations for this tournament are reportedly higher than they were four years ago, following their strong performance in a previous World Cup where they reached the semi-finals. This past success has led to increased pressure and ambition within the squad.

The team aims to demonstrate that their previous achievements were not merely due to luck but reflect a consistent level of performance. This ambition places a significant responsibility on the players to manage the heightened expectations and perform well on the international stage. The medical staff’s evaluations of the injured players will be crucial in determining the squad’s full strength for the opening match.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is expected to release official medical bulletins regarding the injured players, providing clarity on their potential return to action. The team faces Brazil on Saturday night in New York.

Source: scotsman.com

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