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Ziyech and Hakimi lead Morocco’s growing threat

By Jim White at Al Thumama Stadium

For the first time in 36 years, Morocco march on to the last 16. With this victory, they won Group F. No African nation has finished top of a World Cup qualifying group since 1998. The celebrations at the final whistle – the man-ofthe-match Achraf Hakimi could be seen weeping, as the stands erupted in excitement – were something to behold. And rightly so. To top a group that included the teams ranked second and 12th in the world was some achievement.

But, boy, did Canada make Morocco work for those final three points that sealed their eminence. Sometimes, just sometimes, losers deserve plaudits. Canada had so

much going for them – skill, effort, not to mention Alphonso Davies – they really ought to have collected more. In this match, despite Morocco taking a two-goal lead within the first 23 minutes, with nothing to play for beyond pride, Canada never stopped trying, making life ever more uncomfortable for the vast swathes of vocal Moroccan supporters.

They halved the deficit (albeit with an own goal) and almost got back on level terms, when, from a corner, substitute Atiba Hutchinson headed against the underside of the bar and the ball appeared to bounce over the line. Technology, however, said it did not.

To the winners, though, the

glory. Morocco, who face Spain in the last 16 on Tuesday, look wellequipped to continue on deep into the competition.

The two standout performers were those patrolling their righthand side. Many a fan of England’s leading clubs has long cast envious glances at Paris St-germain’s Hakimi, one of the best full-backs around. He was superb here, a Rolls-royce of a defender, all smooth elegance, pace and power.

Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech is having an exemplary World Cup. His turns, his disguised passes, his positional intelligence, everything he does is dangerous. His goal to start things off after only four minutes, when he lobbed goalkeeper

Milan Borjan from 35 yards, was a masterpiece of cheeky invention. Chelsea fans must wonder where this Ziyech has been lurking.

With Denmark and Belgium out, many a pundit’s suggestion as to who might be the dark horse at this tournament has turned to dust.

But Morocco are still there and it would be unwise for any of the other contenders to underestimate the threat they pose.

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2022-12-02T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-02T08:00:00.0000000Z

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