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Morocco’s Atlas Lions game against DR Congo’s Leopards has ended in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the World Cup Qatar 2022 playoffs.
Vahid Halilhodzic started the game with a 3-5-2 lineup, with FC Sevilla’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou tasked with protecting the Atlas Lions’ net.
Morocco’s players dominated the field during the first ten minutes of the first half, but a sudden offensive of the Leopards penetrated Morocco’s defensive wall.
Brentford striker Yoane Wissam scored the game’s first goal at the 12th minute, putting Congo in the lead early on in the match.
The Atlas Lions grew back into the game, but showed less success in terms of technical skill and tactical compactness, compared to their performance in previous rounds.
As predicted by Halilhodzic, the heat and humidity, in addition to the synthetic turf, played against the Atlas Lions.
Today’s game was a tough mission for Halilhodzic’s men, shaking fans’ hopes to see their team featured in this year’s World Cup.
The first half ended with a disappointing 0-1 result, sending Moroccan players into the dressing room with feelings of regret.
Nine minutes after the second half kicked off, the South African referee handed a penalty to Morocco’s Atlas Lions.
Center-forward Ryan Mmaee sailed the ball way over the bar and into the stands, spoiling Morocco’s opportunity for an equalizer at the 55th minute.
The following period saw Morocco desperately attempt to equalize, with Achraf Hakimi leaping to meet a lofted ball into the box at the 64th minute, but his header from near the penalty spot fizzed narrowly wide of the right post.
Halilhodzic made some changes to the lineup, introducing Tarik Tissoudali for Youssef En-Nesyri, and Ayoub El Kaabi for Ryan Mmaee.
Hopes were revived, and Halilhodzic’s change brought positive results.
Six minutes after Tissoudali and El Kaabi put their feet on the pitch, the two managed to score the equalizer for Morocco’s Atlas Lions.
With an assist from El Kaabi, Tissoudali successfully turned the pass into Morocco’s first goal in the game at the 67th minute.
Following the goal, Morocco’s Atlas Lions regained their tactical caliber and strong performance during the last minutes of the game, but the many attempts did not result in a winning goal.
The Atlas Lions will now have to beat DR Congo in the second leg, taking place at 7:30 p.m. on March 29 at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium, to secure their ticket to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
