By The Numbers: Morocco Bow Out With Heads Held High

In the end, France proved a step too far for the African team. Having conquered neighbours Spain, and then Portugal, Morocco lost 2-0 to the next country on the European map to exit the World Cup at the semi-final stage. Whatever happens in the 3rd and 4th playoff, they are guaranteed the best-ever finish for an African side at the tournament. We look at some of the numbers behind their elimination, as the defending World Cup champions delivered a defensive masterclass we have come to associate with Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions.

A Change In Game Plan

Morocco conceding a goal was a surprise in itself, but the time that they conceded was even more unexpected. Theo Hernandez’s 5th-minute opener was the first goal Morocco had conceded from an opposition player all tournament. The shot map below shows how Bounou’s record remained unblemished (save for an own goal) despite facing 45 shots in the first five games of the tournament.

Hernandez’s goal was the second earliest goal Morocco have ever conceded at the tournament (beating the 4th-minute goal by Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal in 2018). This early concession left the Atlas Lions in unfamiliar territory and needing to chase the game. It meant they had more of the ball than they were used to, the question was – what would they create with all the possession?

32% – average possession for Morocco before this game (the second lowest at the World Cup).

56% – Morocco’s possession in the first half of this game.

61% – Morocco’s possession throughout the game, their highest at the tournament.

The passing network below shows how Morocco combined in the first half, with Hakimi and Ziyech high up and seeing more of the ball than most of the team (dark red circles).

609 – passes attempted by Morocco in this game, more than any other game.

517 – passes completed by Morocco in this game, more than they completed against Spain & Portugal combined (428 in both games).

The French were also happy to let Morocco have the ball.

391 – passess attempted by France in this game, the first time France attempted less than 400 passes at the tournament.

309 – passes completed by France in this game, their lowest at the tournament.

Yet, even with so much possession, Morocco could not create openings that would lead to an equaliser. The isolated Youssef En-Nesyri was demonstrative of this shortcoming, ending the game with just three touches completed, the fewest on record (since 1966) by any player to play 45+ minutes in a World Cup match. He was taken off in the 66th minute, but not much came from then either. 

The rolling xG map below shows how Morocco created less than 0.3xG up until the 90th minute, as the French defence did their best impression of the Atlas Lions in standing firm.

A third/fourth playoff against Croatia will be their swansong this Saturday, and that promises to be another interesting tactical battle.