Morocco are out of the World Cup after being defeated by 2-0 France in Qatar.
The dream is over, but the pride of the Atlas Lions will live on for generations.
The journey taken by this Morocco side on the route to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar is a historic achievement and it took the current World Champions and pre-tournament favourites to stop them.
Morocco run comes to an end
Take a moment to remember the achievements, though.
A draw and a clean sheet with fellow-semi-finalists Croatia was an impressive start.
What followed, however, was a remarkable achievement that the defeat cannot erase.
Not only was it historic achievement in seeing an African and Arab team reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time, but it was done with performances of the highest quality against some of the World’s best teams.
It is a World Cup story that will be remembered long after the pain of defeat wears off.
Victory over Belgium and Canada saw them top their qualifying group.
Spain were dispatched on penalties in the first qualifying game, before the legendary win over Portugal in the quarter finals.
Edging out a win over France was a step too far and a dream too much.
Not that the capacity crowd in the Al Bayt Stadium ever gave up hope. The red shirts of Morocco supporters seemed to outnumber the blues of France by 10 to one.
Outside the stadium support for Atlas Lions was even more pronounced.
From From Casablanca to Dubai, from Riyadh to Rabat – all around the Arab world support for Morocco was immense.
The team gave a performance to match.
The game could not have had a worse start for Morocco. Nayef Aguerd was ruled out with injury moments before the kick off. Then France’s Theo Hernandez took the lead with less than five minutes played.
When captain Romain Saïss was taken off with an injury after struggling through the first 20 minutes it looked like it would be a long night for Morocco.
As has come to be expected from this Atlas Lions team they did not wilt.
If anything they ended the half with the better chances.
Morocco’s Jawad El Yamiq was inches away from scoring the goal of the tournament with a stunning overhead kick that was touched onto the post.
The second half was dominated by Morocco. Attack after attacked was launched down the flanks. France stood resolute.
Chances fell to Morocco as they looked to extend their winning run against European opposition.
But it wasn’t to be. When France’s Randal Kolo Muani scored in the 79th minute it was decisive. The final moments of the game played out without the tension. A two-goal cushion enough to see the current World champions run down the clock.
Still the Arab side pushed, but still they were repelled. A thrilling goal line save in the dying minutes denied Morocco the consolation they deserved.
France will now face Argentina in the final on Sunday, December 18.
Lionel Messi versus Kylian Mbappe. Europe versus South America. Giants of the game facing off on the biggest stage in World football.
Nobody will underestimate the Atlas Lions again, though.
Morocco will face Croatia in the third-place play off on Saturday, December 17.
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