World Cup Story Feed / 世界杯事情流
World Cup Story Feed / 世界杯事情流
"I don't like Brahim Diaz's start to the match; he tries too hard to change the situation on his own and over dribbles." Belhanda, former Moroccan international, tells the camera that his current national team star is "selfish," "slows down the pace," and "wants to be the hero."
"I don't like Brahim Díaz's start to the tournament. He tries too hard to change the game on his own, over-dribbling." Belhanda, former Moroccan international, dissected the national team's current star on camera, calling him "selfish," "slowing down the pace," and "wanting to be the hero."
The same week, coach Wakhebi shielded Díaz in a press conference: "I won't pull his ear." He even added, "We have many number 10s. Brahim can play in any position, and we're working to put him in his best form."
A former teammate criticizes him on TV, while the coach defends him in the press. The cracks in the locker room are often more glaring than the numbers on the scoreboard.
Díaz's situation is indeed awkward. At the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, he scored 5 goals in 7 games, winning the Golden Boot as Morocco's attacking core. But in the World Cup group stage, after three matches: 0 goals, 2 assists. The game against Haiti was especially telling. He started, played 70 minutes, and was substituted. Post-match, foreign media used the term "quieter performance," which translates to: he was invisible on the pitch.
Subbed off at 70 minutes. The moment the substitution board went up, the coaching staff's stance hit Díaz squarely. Not criticizing you, but not keeping you on either.
Wakhebi's post-match comment, "We have many number 10s," sounded like reassurance but was actually a warning: this team doesn't lack number 10s, so don't see yourself as indispensable. The 49-year-old Wakhebi took over hastily 98 days ago, inheriting a semifinalist squad and a bunch of stars needing careful handling. He's gritting his teeth to protect Díaz's line, but his palms are sweating.
While Díaz disappeared on the pitch, 18-year-old Bouaddi racked up impressive stats against Brazil.
Starting in midfield, he had 86 touches, a 91% pass accuracy (60/66), and completed all 16 of his forward passes. Trevor Noah shouted on social media: "18 years old and dominating the midfield against Brazil?!" Eight years ago, he was a 10-year-old fan in the stands at the Russia World Cup. Eight years later, he commanded possession with 86 touches on the World Cup stage.
Mazraoui praised the Lille midfielder: "Extremely talented and humble." Starting against Brazil in the World Cup before turning 19, delivering numbers like that. It shatters the "irreplaceable core" illusion. A power transfer doesn't need a press conference—touch counts are the votes.
Regragui, in his tenure, had declared, "We should and must fight for the World Cup," while emphasizing, "Stay humble, give 200% every game." Three months later, he's gone, and the slogan still hangs in the air, until the Haitians pulled it down into the mud.
Morocco's xG against Haiti was 2.15 to 0.48, with 13 shots to 4. On paper, a dominant display; the score, 4-2. How did Haiti get their two goals? In the 10th minute, Bono's own goal; in the 43rd minute, Isidor's long-range counter-attack, assisted by Duverne. Two goals from 4 shots: one from a goalkeeper blunder, one from a counter that broke the defense.
To judge a title contender, don't look at xG—watch the speed and attitude of the entire defensive line when chasing back after a counter. For Haiti's two goals, Morocco's defenders were eating dust.
Saibari scored a flash goal in 71 seconds against Scotland, securing the fastest goal of this World Cup, winning 1-0 in Boston. It was 1-1 against Brazil, with Díaz getting an assist. After three group matches, they advanced as group runners-up. On the surface, they progressed.
Their knockout round opponent was drawn: Group F winners, Netherlands. Late June, Monterrey, Estadio BBVA.
Monterrey. In 1986, Morocco was stopped here in the Round of 16, swallowing one of the most bitter pills in their history. Forty years later, they return to the same place, their identity shifted from the last tournament's dark horse to a favorite carrying "championship" KPI.
Forty years ago, they went home from here. This time, as group runners-up, they don't even have the luxury of picking their opponents.