Six of the eight qualified for the quarterfinals have played in the final of the World Cup at least once. Brazil x Croatia, Argentina x Holland, France x England are the traditional duels. All had unexpected results, such as the defeat of the Brazilian team to Cameroon and the defeat of the Argentine team to Saudi Arabia.
Portugal never reached the decision. Morocco is the only zebra.
The penalty shootout victory over Spain, five months after the massacre in Melilla, an autonomous Spanish city in North Africa, was symbolic. On 24 June, at least 37 Moroccan migrants were killed. The Madrid government is accused of funding troops from Rabat to make it difficult for Africans to enter Europe.
Northern Moroccans hate the Spanish more than the French. We journalists love to say that the World Cup is not the home of football boots. Is not.
But, in some cases, the feeling of nation cannot be underestimated. Croatia is one such example because it declared its independence after a long war just 30 years ago.
The place where Modric lived as a child was occupied by Serbian troops. It’s in your memory and in your heart.
Morocco is the fourth representative of Africa in the quarterfinals and the first Arab. Hakimi was born in Madrid, grew up in Real’s youth divisions and decided not to play for Spain: “I felt it wasn’t my place. The way I lived at home was different, with a Muslim culture.”
In Qatar, Morocco represents the Arabs. One of the biggest qualifying parties against Spain took place in Melilla.
The Portugal-Morocco match doesn’t seem easy, and the Portuguese coach, Fernando Santos, warned about it. There are Moroccans in Doha betting that their country will reach the semifinals. Portugal is favourite.
It doesn’t hurt to joke: the last time people from Morocco decided to invade the Iberian Peninsula, they spent more than 500 years there. Now they only need five days and then face France, whom they really hate.
If Portugal advances, it will reach its third semi-final as the only possible new finalist. With Eusébio, in 1966, he came in third place. With Cristiano Ronaldo, in 2006, fourth.
Brazil was in the decision seven times, Argentina five times, France and Holland three times, England and Croatia once.
Of the eight remaining candidates, only Argentina, Brazil and England had more possession in all matches. In this Cup, this seems to be, at the same time, a demonstration of strength and the risk of falling into a trap. If you want your team to be on the attack, imposing, it needs to push the opponent back — and that’s done with your players in the front of the field. But here in Doha, only 37% of matches are won by those who control the opponent by exchanging passes. Spain was the one that did the most. It is out.
Kicking on goal works better. Counting ties, 44% of the time the winner is the one with the most finishes. Of the classifieds, Brazil is the best in this regard. Germany was first placed in that criterion and is also eliminated.
In this Cup, you can’t prove any theory based on stories and statistics. Not even the thesis that it would be the Cup of zebras survived.
Unless Morocco decides to invade the Iberian Peninsula, as the Moors did in 711 AD
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
