The Atlas Lions of Morocco made history on Saturday, securing a win against heavy-weight, five-time world cup winner Brazil in a friendly match.
Morocco’s striker Soufian Boufal scored the opening goal in the game in the 29th minute in precedent in football history as this is the first time Morocco’s national football team scored against football giant Brazil.
In the second half of the game, Carlos Henrique Casimiro tipped the scales in favor of Brazil, scoring a goal in the 67th minute, bringing the result to a tie.
Abdelhamid Sabiri scored a second goal in the second half to take the game 2-1.
Morocco’s stellar World Cup run came to an end after losing to France’s Les Bleus in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Brazil were eliminated from the quarter-finals after losing 4-2 against Croatia, which finished in third place.
Both Brazil and Morocco prepared a powerful lineup of players for the friendly match on Friday. Earlier this month, Morocco’s Head Coach Walid Regragui revealed the squad list for Morocco’s game against Brazil. The list features footballers who shined in Qatar and contributed to Morocco’s World Cup glory.
The lineup includes Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, and Azzedine Ounahi, among others. Seven new players joined the Atlas Lions for the first time, including Chadi Riad, Ayoub Amraoui, Benjamin Bouchouari, Yassine Kechta, Ibrahim Salah, Abdel Abqar, and Mehdi Benabid.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s squad features renowned footballers, including Tottenham Hotspurs’ Emerson Royal, Manchester United’s Casemiro who captained the team, and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
However, key Brazilian players were missing from the friendly game due to injury, including Neymar Jr., Marquinhos, and Richarlison, making the squad’s mission to defeat Morocco harder.
Following Saturday’s game against Brazil, the Atlas Lions will face Peru in another friendly on March 28.
