Rabat – Morocco’s historic 1-0 win over Portugal in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals has taken over headlines worldwide, with biggest European sport outlets focusing on Morocco’s underdog story.
In Spain, La Marca featured a big Moroccan flag on its front page, with the headline saying: “The star of the World Cup.”
Another Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo called the win “historic,” displaying a picture of the Moroccan players celebrating front and center, while sports newspaper AS called the team “world class.”
Italy’s La Gazzetta Sportiva featured Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat on its front page, with the headline reading: “Morocco: beautiful story,” while the Corriere dello Sport declared that Morocco has “ended the Ronaldo era.”
The European press seemed equally taken by the Moroccan players’ celebrations, especially with their families. Tuttosport featured a picture of Moroccan star Sofiane Boufal dancing with his mother in celebration, with the caption reading: “Mother, what Morocco!”
French outlet L’Equipe featured two of Morocco’s stars Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech, naming them “world class,” while Le Parisien declared that Morocco “entered history.”
Meanwhile in Portugal, the press mostly focused on the Portuguese side, voicing disappointments after high hopes were pinned on their star studded squad.
Several newspapers featured pictures of star player Cristiano Ronaldo crying. This World Cup is widely expected to be the last one in the 37 year-old’s international career, with many saying that he is past his prime.
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The Times of India, the country’s biggest newspaper, also featured the Atlas Lions on its front page. “Football’s Arab Spring: This time for Africa,” the newspaper declared, highlighting the significance of the achievement to the Arab World and Africa.
The Washington Post reported on the win calling Morocco “indestructible,” and “the World Cup’s darling,” highlighting both the Atlas Lions’ impenetrable defense and the fans’ rallying behind them as the tournament’s underdog.
“This is now Morocco’s World Cup,” the New York Times declared, praising the team’s “defensive grit and attacking verve.”
Morocco’s football team defeated the world’s favorites to win Portugal, 1-0 on Saturday, securing a place in the top four for the first time ever. Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to play in the semi-finals.
