Tens of thousands of Moroccans thronged the capital on Tuesday to welcome home their national football team, the first Arab or African squad ever to reach the semi-final of a World Cup. | Sport24news
Morocco finished top of a group including Croatia and Belgium, who came third at the 2018 World Cup, before knocking out Spain and Portugal to reach the last four.
The Atlas Lions lost Saturday's third place play-off 2-1 against 2018 runners-up Croatia, but captured the imagination in Qatar. "I would have liked to take them in my arms and kiss them," said 19-year-old law student Leila Messour, who came to watch the team with her friends.The team later headed to the royal palace, where they were received by King Mohammed VI"in recognition of the historic achievement".
The king, alongside crown prince Moulay Hassan, handed out awards to the president of the Moroccan football federation, the team coach and the players, country's national news agency MAP reported. The players' mothers also accompanied them to the palace, MAP added, saying it was in recognition of their efforts to"instil in their children the values of patriotism, sacrifice and national belonging".In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.
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