Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his side are “the Rocky Balboa of this World Cup” after the Atlas Lions became the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals with a stunning victory over Portugal on Saturday.
The injury-hit North Africans held on for a 1-0 victory at Al Thumama Stadium to set up a last-four clash against with holders France, after Youssef En-Nesyri’s headed goal late in the first half. The win over Portugal came after knocking out Spain in the last 16 on penalties and beating the world’s second-ranked team Belgium in the group stage.
“When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa because of his hard work and commitment and I think we’re the Rocky Balboa of this World Cup,” Regragui told reporters. “We’re becoming the team that everyone loves at this World Cup, because we’re showing that even if you don’t have as much talent, if you show that desire, heart and belief, you can achieve. I’m sure many of you will say this is a miracle, but we’ve won without conceding against Belgium, Spain, Portugal and that’s the result of hard work.”
Morocco will take on either France on Wednesday at Al Bayt Stadium with the chance to become the first nation from outside Europe or South America to reach the final. “We can dream, why shouldn’t we dream about winning the World Cup?” added Regragui, who only took over as coach in August.
“It doesn’t cost you anything to have dreams. European countries have been used to winning the World Cup... We’ve played some really top sides, but so far we haven’t achieved anything. Anyone who plays us now will have to be at the top of their game to beat us, it won’t be easy for them, that’s the message I’m trying to send out.”
Regragui said they can go even further in the tournament and continue making history as they seek to inspire future generations. “What’s important for future generations is we’ve shown that it is possible for an African team to get to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Or even the final, why not?” an ecstatic Regragui told reporters.
“In one press conference three or four matches ago, I was asked we could win the World Cup. And I said, ‘Why not?’ We can dream. Why shouldn’t we dream? If you don’t dream, you don’t get anywhere. It doesn’t cost you anything.”
Morocco had already surpassed expectations by becoming only the fourth African country and first Arab nation to reach the quarter-finals. But they managed to go one step further than Cameroon in 1990, Senegal’s 2002 side and the Ghana team of 2010.
“We came up against a really great Portugal team. We’re drawing on all we have, we still have guys injured. We have a mindset,” Regragui said.
“I told all my players before the match we had to write history for Africa. I’m very, very happy.”
Regragui, a France-born former Morocco international, had already made history of his own as the first African coach to take a team into the World Cup quarter-finals. Morocco were without injured defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd on Saturday, while captain Romain Saiss was stretchered off early in the second half.
“We’re very proud because the players who did come in did a fantastic job,” said Regragui. “We’re a 26-man squad and to get far in this tournament we’ll need all of them.”
Morocco still have the best defensive record in the World Cup. The only time they have conceded in five matches was an own goal against Canada. “It’s crazy. We’re living a dream and we don’t want to wake up. I have goosebumps,” said winger Sofiane Boufal. “Everything we have, we deserve. We work hard. It’s not over. There’s still the semi-final and god willing, the final.”
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou said his team’s history-making campaign can show future generations from his country that they can create miracles. “We’re in the same state as you... pinch me, I think I’m dreaming,” Bounou told reporters. “These moments are great, but we’re here to change the mentality. This feeling of inferiority... we have indeed changed this mentality, and the generation coming after us will know that Moroccan players can create miracles.”
“It’s really, really hard to find the words to describe this moment,” he continued. “I want to thank my teammates for their hard work and our supporters who had our backs. Hopefully we can have some rest to prepare for what’s coming next.
“I’d like to thank all the players who all made a stellar performance. We had injuries and all the players on the pitch were at the highest level.”