Africa

Croatia tames Atlas Lions of Morocco with 2 sublime goals in third-place playoff

The FIFA World Cup third-place playoff always takes place under the shadow cast by the next day's monumentous final, but they have a tendency to entertain as two losing semifinalists unshackle themselves from pressure and anxiety to secure bronze for proud footballing nations.

Saturday's third-place playoff didn't disappoint as Croatia and Morocco, after both failing to score in the semis, exchanged goals in the opening 10 minutes before Mislav Oršić put the Checkered Ones ahead before halftime with a stunner that proved game-winner.

Hugo Lloris denies Morocco (and us) of goal of the tournament

Trailing 1-0 to France shortly before halftime in Wednesday's FIFA World Cup semifinal, Morocco center back Jawad El Yamiq almost found an equalizer with an outrageous bicycle kick from 12 yards out.

Initially it looked like the overhead attempt had thumped directly off the base of the post, but it was counted as a shot on target and save for Hugo Lloris after replays showed the French goalkeeper getting his fingertips to it to help aid it onto the woodwork.

Without Lloris' touch, maybe the shot hits the inside of the post and goes in. 

Nearly 50,000 Morocco fans expected to greet France with wall of noise in World Cup semifinal

When Morocco takes to the pitch Wednesday night against France in the World Cup semifinals, they'll do so as 6/1 outsiders against the defending world champions. But one advantage the record-setting African side will have is nearly the entire backing of the 68,895 capacity Al-Bayt Stadium.

Croatia or Morocco World Cup triumph would represent tournament's ultimate fairy tale

DOHA - Croatia and Morocco are the surprise guests in the World Cup's final four but, as the Croatians discovered in 2018 and many other long-shot semifinalists have before them, the two remaining steps to become world champions can be the steepest.

In the 21 editions of the World Cup over 92 years featuring 79 nations, there have still been only eight winners and only 13 have made it to the final. Spain were the last to join the elite group of champions in 2010 after France in 1998 and Argentina in 1978.

World Cup semifinal ref assignments confirmed — every team feels cheated and wronged

After a controversial and emotionally charged quarterfinal round (who could've predicted that?), the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal referees have been announced before Tuesday and Wednesday's matches of Argentina vs. Croatia and France vs. Morocco, respectively.

World Cup semifinal referees

On Tuesday, the Argentina vs Croatia ref is Italian Daniele Orsato. You know he's legit because he took charge of Qatar's opener and Ecuador won it 2-0. He was also in charge of Argentina's victory over Mexico.  

The making of Morocco: How a largely foreign-born contingent delivered in Qatar

DOHA - Morocco’s unexpected march to the World Cup semifinals can be attributed partly to a policy of deliberately seeking out talent in the Diaspora to strengthen the national team and give them a better chance of success.

14 of Morocco’s 26-man squad were born outside the country, more than any other team at the tournament in Qatar, providing an eclectic mix of players from growing migrant communities across Europe who have helped them break new ground.

World Cup top scorers 2022: Who will win the Golden Boot?

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honors players will be competing for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.

The number of assists by a player is considered in the case of a tie for goals scored. If players are tied on both counts, the winner is decided by who played the fewest minutes.

Drogba, Shakira, Elon Musk among many sending Morocco congrats on making history

Morocco's 1-0 upset of Portugal in the World Cup on Saturday made history as they became the first African nation to ever reach the semifinals. Congratulations came from all corners of the world after the Atlas Lions knocked Cristiano Ronaldo's side out of the tournament.

Twitter owner and CEO Elon Musk — certainly happy for all the engagements and interactions that the team is generating on his social platform — sent some love. 

Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup dream is over

Needing just three wins to lift the 2022 FIFA World Cup and beginning the journey against unfavored Morocco on Saturday, Portugal slipped to a historic 1-0 defeat against the Atlas Lions, meaning Morocco's the first African side to ever reach the semifinals while Cristiano Ronaldo's record-setting international career is at a crossroads. 

Un Marruecos épico hace trizas el sueño de Cristiano Ronaldo

La imagen de Cristiano Ronaldo en los túneles del estadio Al Thumama llorando de manera desconsolada resume como ninguna la sorprendente victoria de Marruecos sobre Portugal.

Pese a la fenomenal campaña del equipo africano en el Mundial, la sensación generalizada era que los lusos iban a acabar con el cuento de hadas. Sin embargo, un gol de cabeza de Youssef En-Nesyri puso al mundo patas arriba, sellando la primera clasificación de un equipo africano a las semifinales de una Copa del Mundo y de paso cortando de raíz el sueño de CR7 de obtener el trofeo en el ocaso de su carrera.

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