The Moroccan defense hasn’t allowed any of its opponents to score in Qatar — the sole goal it conceded came on an odd own-goal, against Canada. It hasn’t lost a match at the World Cup, setting the tone early after starting play with a nervy 0-0 draw with 2018 runner-up Croatia.

Morocco’s back line is anchored by Achraf Hakimi, a versatile defender who was born in Spain and plays professionally for the famed French club Paris Saint-Germain .

His friends and admirers include French superstar Kylian Mbappé, Hakimi’s PSG teammate, who said earlier this year  that Hakimi is the best right-back on the planet.

And goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, a.k.a. Bono, has been clutch, making 39 saves so far, according to FIFA. Crucially, he saved two of the three penalty shots taken by Spain, after the two sides finished play 0-0.

The team has shown it can win in a variety of ways, from defensive slugfests to creating opportunities through open play and winning a penalty shootout.

Morocco is the “Rocky” of the World Cup, coach says

Regragui said his side is “the Rocky Balboa of this World Cup”  after the Atlas Lions became the first African team ever to reach the semifinals with a stunning victory over Portugal on Saturday.

“When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa because of his hard work and commitment and I think we’re the Rocky Balboa of this World Cup,” Regragui said.

Morocco’s players hoisted their coach, Walid Regragui, after winning their quarterfinal match against Spain at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday in Doha, Qatar.

Mike Hewitt/FIFA via Getty Images

Like the iconic boxer portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, Morocco has absorbed punishment from world-beater athletes, all while refusing to lose. Also like Rocky, the team is showing the toll that effort requires.

Several key players have suffered injuries in Qatar, including the captain Saiss, 32, who left the match with Portugal on a stretcher, with an apparent hamstring problem. Others hurt include center back Nayef Aguerd, 26, whose injury has been reported as being to his thigh or his knee, and Noussair Mazraoui.

Morocco’s performance has stunned the soccer world, particularly after the national team lost Amine Harit, a talented attacking midfielder. Harit was felled by a serious knee injury just before the World Cup began, while playing for his pro team, Olympique Marseille.

In Harit’s absence, others are carrying the load, from steadfast midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, 26, to Youssef En-Nesyri, 25, the striker who soared through the Qatari sky to head in the winner against Portugal.

And attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech, 29, has been all over the place, stepping up on defense and distrupting opponents  while also serving up 20 crosses and putting eight shots on goal, according to  FIFA’s stats.

Morocco has done (some of) this before

This isn’t the first time Morocco has won its group and defeated Portugal. The team accomplished a historic breakthrough in 1986   — a World Cup at which it found itself in the unenviable grouping of England, Poland and Portugal.

But none of the European teams could find a way to defeat Morocco, and it won the group to advance to the round of 16 — becoming the first African team to do so.

The Moroccan team were the unlikely winners of a tough World Cup group, but they finally fell to West Germany during the 1986 tournament in Mexico.

Peter Robinson/PA Images via Getty Images

Coached by Brazilian Jose Faria, that 1986 Morocco team went through intensive training to ensure they were a cohesive unit, and one that was primed to play in the heat of host Mexico: They trained in Monterrey for 40 days. But the squad finally exited when West Germany was able to eke out a 1-0 win.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com