The Atlas Lions are roaring again. Twenty years after a heartbreaking elimination from the group stage at France ’98, the first African team to reach the last 16 are back at the World Cup. Morocco, the only African team to qualify for Russia without conceding a goal, have built their game on solid defence and hard work. The experience of Karim El Ahmadi, M’barek Boussoufa and Juventus’s Mehdi Benatia fits well with the intelligence of Hakim Ziyech and the strength of Nordin Amrabat. Hervé Renard is in charge but the advice coming from one of his assistants, Patrice Beaumelle, is vital. The former Coventry City midfielder Mustapha Hadji is also key in the setup, sharing his experiences and acting as a role model for this generation. The team’s main weakness used to be on the left but Real Madrid’s Achraf Hakimi has filled the gap admirably since September.

However, under the guiding hand of Herve Renard, the Atlas Lions emerged unbeaten in their six matches – without conceding a single goal and scoring 11 in the process – to book their first finals spot in 20 years.

The 42nd best side on the planet according to FIFA’s rankings, they’ll need something special to match their 1986 achievement of getting through the group stage, having been paired with Iberian duo Spain and Portugal.

But a defence marshalled by Juventus’ Medhi Benatia and Wolves’ Romain Saiss has proven itself tough to break down, while an attack containing Ajax star Hakim Ziyech and Southampton’s Sofiane Boufal is full of (albeit inconsistent) talent.

They open up against the similarly durable Iran; win that, and they could prove themselves a real nightmare for Portugal in their second game.

Form guide

With three wins and three draws – including a 2-0 win in Ivory Coast in their must-not-lose finale – Morocco made their way to Russia, navigating a potentially tricky group.

Reached last year’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final – losing to finalists Egypt.

Star player

A former Netherlands Under-21 international, Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech has become an increasingly important cog in the Moroccan midfield under Renard.

Talented and strong – not unlike Spurs’ Mousa Dembele – he has flourished with the Dutch giants since moving into a deeper role.

At 25, he has 13 caps and seven goals to his name. As he enters his prime, he can make this his team.

Achraf Hakimi made his senior Real Madrid debut earlier this season and has proven himself a more than able deputy for Dani Carvajal when the Spaniard has been absent.

Born in Madrid to parents of Moroccan descent, Hakimi joined Los Blancos as an eight year old and now, at 19, is beginning to make an impact.

Made his full international debut in 2016 and will vie for a place with veteran Fenerbahce full-back Nabil Dirar for a starting spot.

How they qualified Winners African Group C (round three) ahead of Ivory Coast

Preferred system 4-5-1

Star player Hakim Ziyech (Ajax)

One to watch Sofiane Boufal (Southampton)

Manager Hervé Renard

Odds 250-1

 

Head 2 Head

The two teams have not met recently. Only once previously the team played against each other that was 16 years back with different generations of footballers. That match has no bearings on the encounter in St. Petersburg

 

Date	Comp.	H / A / N	Final score	Stadium	Attendance
17.Sep.2002	LG CUP	H	1 – 1	Takhti Stadium ,Tabriz	20,000