Emotional Morocco lose crucial match but win hearts
Sports
Despite conclusion of its 'dream run' Morocco is in prostration
DOHA (Dunya News) - Following France s victory against them in a World Cup 2022 semi-final match on Wednesday, the Moroccan football team offered Sajdah Al Shukr, which is Arabic for "prostration of thanks on the ground." The picture of their prayer quickly became popular online.
After defeating Portugal, the Moroccan team advanced to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time ever, making history as the first African and Arab nation in the 92-year history to make it that far in a World Cup. Earlier, after the team defeated Spain to go to the World Cup quarterfinals, they were spotted urging their supporters and the public to convert to Islam. Zakaria Aboukhal and Abdelhamid Sabiri, two players, reportedly went back to their hotel after the match against Spain and streamed a live feed in which they urged the spectators to convert to Islam.
Morocco made history last Saturday by defeating Portugal 1-0 to advance to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in the annals of Arab national teams.
Earlier, France ground down a plucky Morocco side on Wednesday night to advance to the World Cup final on Sunday against Argentina. Theo Hernandez scored five minutes into the encounter at the Al Bayt Stadium to give Didier Deschamps players an early lead. The defender latched onto the loose ball in the penalty area to thrash past the Morocco goalkeeper Bono and Achraf Dari on the goal line.
Morocco nearly sneaked an equaliser six minutes later. Azz-Eddine Ounahi took aim from 23 metres out forcing the France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris into a save low to his left. But after that frisson, France took command.
Olivier Giroud fired a shot against the post and France s record goal scorer should have extended his tally after 36 minutes but he screwed his shot just wide of the right hand post.
