In 2022, Morocco went further than any African or Arab nation ever had at a World Cup. Here is how the run unfolded in Qatar.
## A group nobody saw coming Morocco opened with a goalless draw against Croatia, the side that had reached the previous final. Then came the statement: a 2-0 win over Belgium through Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal. A 2-1 victory over Canada sealed top spot in the group.
## Spain on penalties In the round of 16 Morocco held Spain to 0-0 through extra time, then won the shootout. Spain could not convert, and Achraf Hakimi settled it with a cheeky panenka down the middle.
## Beating Portugal, making history The quarter-final brought a 1-0 win over Portugal, Youssef En-Nesyri rising highest to score before half time. It made Morocco the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final.
## The final steps The run ended against the holders, France, in a 2-0 semi-final defeat, followed by a 2-1 loss to Croatia in the third-place match. Fourth place: the best finish by an African or Arab country in World Cup history, and a tournament that changed how the world sees Moroccan football.