MArokko’s national football team is the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final after beating Portugal 1-0. The voices about the game and the classification of success.
Walid Regragui (Morocco national team coach): “It’s no wonder. Many consider it a miracle, especially in Europe. It’s no wonder, it’s the result of hard work. We don’t play the most beautiful football of the World Cup, but we do have more heart. We scored the goal and then defended our goal with all our hearts. It’s very hard to crack us. Our homeland, the Arab world and Africa give us energy, so many people are behind us. We made history. To be the first African team to reach the semi-finals is extraordinary.”
Bilal El Khannous (midfielder): “It wasn’t an easy game, but we did very well. I can only say the same thing as after the last two games: It’s a great success for the team and for the whole country. The coach didn’t say at half-time: Hopefully we can last another 45 minutes. But: There are only 45 minutes left to make history.”
Bono (Morocco’s goalkeeper): “Pinch me, I think I’m dreaming. We will recover and prepare for what is coming so we can face it with the same energy. All players showed a brilliant performance. We had injuries but we put in an incredible performance.”
Fernando Santos (Portugal coach): “Our players are sad and disappointed. If we pick two people who are most annoyed, it’s Cristiano and me. We didn’t deserve to lose, but that’s football. I have already spoken to the president of the association. When we return to Portugal we will talk about my contract seriously and calmly. Resignation is not part of our vocabulary.”
