On Saturday, December 10th, Morocco won 1-0 against long time World Cup favorite Portugal. With a header from Youssef En-Nesyri, the team secured their spot as the first African country to make it to the World Cup semifinals. 

Portugal, a two-time World Cup winner, with soccer legend Christiano Ronaldo on their team should have been a fierce opponent for Morocco. For the first few minutes of the game, it seemed they were. Each team shot on each other’s goals, the ball soaring over or around the net repeatedly. Then, in a fantastic aerial bid for a point, En-Nesyri leapt, successfully receiving a pass from a quarter of the way down the pitch with his head and sending it crashing straight into Portugal’s unguarded goal. 

This goal, scored just a few seconds before half-time, put Morocco ahead of Portugal. Despite their outstanding offensive players, it was Morocco’s defense that secured their win. Goalie Yassine Bounou played his heart out, and with center backs Saiss and El Yamiq pulling back to defend at a moments notice, Portugal failed to score any goals. Not, of course, for lack of trying. Ronaldo, after finally being pulled off from his timeout on the bench, made repeated attempts to score to no avail. 

Morocco’s success in this year’s World Cup caught many offguard. In a tournament often ruled by former colonial powers, Morocco, a country colonized by France, has succeeded despite not fitting the typical World Cup team mold. When the World Cup norm has become national teams lined with players from all over the globe, Morocco has led a champion campaign with players who, instead of leaving their home country to play, came back to it to win.

This Wednesday, Morocco played France. 

This Wednesday, just for an instant, the world was painted red and green. This Wednesday, lion costumes (Morocco’s mascot), flooded the crowds at Al Bayt stadium. This Wednesday, millions of people leaned forward in their seats and watched history being made. 

This Wednesday, December 14th, Morocco’s World Cup streak ended. The African team lost against France 2-0. Though disappointing, the fact Morocco made it far enough to play in the semifinals is worthy of celebration itself. Morocco was the first challenger to the World Cup status quo. They will not be the last.