Morocco's Manifesto

The team that has showcased the best football so far found themselves, first, mere minutes away, and then, just 11 meters from exiting this 'World Cup of the Americas'. Morocco dictated play against a previously impressive Netherlands side, who, however, began to doubt themselves even before kickoff—with Ronald Koeman deploying only two midfielders, leaving them numerically disadvantaged—and never managed to honor their legacy and DNA.

The 'Atlas Lions' roared much louder, fiercely, attacking in a pack—or do you think only wolves do that?—with a network of intense passes, triangulations, and positional rotations interspersed with relentless pressing reminiscent of… a 'Clockwork Orange' of yesteryear and also the Spain team it inspired. Morocco, in fact, became only the second team to complete 800 passes in a final phase, trailing only 'La Roja' (801). A clear statement, a perfect declaration of intent!

This dominance translated into several opportunities, but no goals, which allowed the Dutch to take the lead on a fortunate counter-attack. Fortunately, this time, the football gods were wide awake and did not permit such an injustice. It would undoubtedly have been the greatest loss of this World Cup.

In front of goalkeeper Bono, Diop's composure contrasts with the locomotive-like Hakimi, while Mazraoui offers consistency. Bouaddi and El Anynaoui seem to play with their eyes closed. No one would notice, however, if one of them made way for El Mourabet. Brahim Díaz embodies both pause and acceleration, dazzling with dribbles and passes. Ounahi, meanwhile, never loses his connection to the flow. And there's El-Khannouss, increasingly venomous, Saibari's complete availability, and Tabil and Yassine for the scraps. It's the distinctive perfume of Africa, macerated in Europe.