Morocco carried by an entire nation
There were early doubts about Morocco’s performances at the start of the tournament, questions that lingered until the hosts delivered a convincing 2-0 win over Cameroon in the quarter-finals. Since then, the picture has sharpened.
If Morocco’s journey to the final can be reduced to a single word, it could be experience.
Walid Regragui and his captain, Achraf Hakimi, have repeatedly returned to that theme. Years of navigating high-stakes matches at club level and on the international stage have given this squad a sense of control, not just over games, but over moments. Morocco rarely look hurried. They understand when to slow the tempo and when to strike.
“We might give the impression that we’re growing into the tournament,” Regragui said before the semi-final against Nigeria, “but it’s mostly that we’re starting to have experience of this kind of competition.”
That composure was evident again in their semi-final against Nigeria in Rabat. Morocco dominated possession, dictated the rhythm and, although they required penalties to progress, their passage to the final was neither fortunate nor forced.
Hakimi echoed that sentiment after the match. “We’re happy and proud,” he told beIN SPORTS.
“There are no words. But the job isn’t finished. We knew Nigeria had big qualities, but defensively we were solid and didn’t allow them chances. With the ball, we created opportunities. We didn’t score, but we stayed focused throughout.”
Morocco’s strength arguably lies in their balance. They have yet to trail at any point in the tournament and have conceded just once, with centre-back Nayef Aguerd and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou central to that solidity. In possession, they are comfortable controlling games, resisting pressure and waiting for moments of incision through Brahim Diaz, Neil El Aynaoui and Abde Ezzalzouli. The overlapping runs of Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui stretch opponents on both flanks.
Threats come from all across the pitch. And when momentum dips, Morocco can still call on something few teams possess: a home crowd that fills every lull with noise, belief and urgency, turning Rabat into a pressure cooker and offering the hosts a twelfth man when it matters most.