Lessons from Morocco, Egypt, Cape Verde…

Morocco, the first African nation to make the semifinals of the World Cup, which they did in the last edition in 2022, has reached its second straight quarterfinal. A gritty, attritional battle with co-hosts Canada, saw Morocco’s star player Ismael Saibari limping off injured in the 22nd minute.

Saibari’s importance to the team can be judged by the fact that Bayern Munich signed him last week, based on his performances at the World Cup, to partner Harry Kane – yet Morocco shrugged off his absence with a three-goal win.