FIFA World Cup 2022: 'Just one step too far!', valiant Morocco end dream run with pride

'At a World Cup, this was perhaps one step too far!', said Morocco coach Walid Regragui after the heartbreak at the Al Bayt stadium. Their opponents, the Frenchmen, the finalists, the winners who embraced the valiant Atlas Lions after their loss evidently understood the coach's and the players' unfathomable pain in front of a sea of red shirts.

Morocco's unexpected yet fancy run came to an end when the defending champions France defeated them 2-0 in the 2nd semifinal and fixed their date with Argentina on the 18th.

Regragui's men who will now aim to secure a 3rd place finish by beating Croatia were no less of a formidable team this World Cup. The underdogs had beaten Portugal in quarters, and Spain & Belgium before that.

The Arab nation that etched its name in the history books by becoming the first-ever country from Africa to reach the semis played an injury-marred XI against France. Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui, all three had injury doubts before the match. However, the bruised side gave a tough fight despite the odds until the 79th minute when Randal Kolo Muani landed a final blow with France's second goal.

But there is less to rue about and more to feel proud of. While a final finish or lifting the Cup would have been extraordinary, in Regragui's words, they gave the maximum and that's the most important part.

'I think the world as a whole is proud of this Moroccon team because we show great desire, we worked hard, we played honest, hard-working football' added the 47-year-old who alongside his 26-member squad surprisingly joined the pantheon of the fear-inspiring teams at the world stage this year!