Morocco Makes History: First African Team to Top World Cup Group Since 1998

In Qatar, the Atlas Lions are writing a new page in the history of football. They have become the first African team to finish top of a group stage at the World Cup since Nigeria in 1998. In their first World Cup match, they resisted Croatia, the finalist of the last edition. The match ended in a goalless draw (0-0).

Morocco defeated Belgium (eliminated by the Blues in the semi-finals of the previous edition) in the 2nd round match and took first place in Group F. On Thursday, the Atlas Lions qualified, for the first time since 1986, for the round of 16, after their victory against Canada (2-1). Doubly historic fact: it is the first time that Morocco has beaten a non-European selection at the World Cup.

In Qatar, it was not just collective performances. Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech who had promised to shine during the competition has kept his promise. He not only invested himself in the matches, but he also scored the fastest goal (4 min) in Morocco’s history at the World Cup.

The adventure continues for the Atlas Lions who will face Spain in the round of 16 next Tuesday. The last meeting between the two neighboring countries took place during the second day of the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. The match ended in a draw (2-2).