World Cup 2022: Footie Fans Heap Praises on Morocco After Sealing Last 16 Qualification With Impeccable Record

• Morocco became the first African nation to top a World Cup group in the 21st century after beating Canada to finish top of Group F
• Walid Regragui's charges finished ahead of 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, FIFA second-ranked Belgium, and a feisty Canada
• The Atlas Lions waited to discover their round of 16 opponents, which could have been Japan, Germany or even an unlikely Costa Rica

Football fans monitoring the World Cup game between Morocco and Canada trooped to social media to shower praises on the African side.

The Atlas Lions roared past the Canucks to punch a ticket into the knockout phase of the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup, capping off a near-perfect performance in the group stages.

Morocco topped Group F with seven points, two more than 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia, a further three more than Belgium - who finished in the third position at the last edition - and a staggering seven points away from Canada.

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The sensational performance of Walid Regragui's charges ensured they etched their name in African football folklore, becoming the first team from the continent to top a World Cup group in the 21st century, as noted by ESPNFC.

On the back of this milestone, football fans could not help but heap praise on Morocco for reaching the last 16 in style.

Twitter users comment on Morocco

@UTDTreyyyy tweeted:

"African excellence this is the start of African domination."

@spairog added:

"Underestimate African teams at your own peril."

A bold user @HonestPenaldo predicted:

"Morocco will make it to the quarter-finals."

@Kojo_Oswald waxed lyrical on Morocco:

"Massive for Morocco. Topping a group containing Belgium and Croatia. That is impressive."

@Osaretinics

"Credit to Morocco. Toping that group with one own-goal conceded and no defeat is great feat. Kudos Atlas Lions."

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Morocco roar into knockout stage

North African nation Morocco powered into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, with a 2-1 victory over already-eliminated Canada on Thursday.

Goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri ensured the Atlas Lions finished top of Group F, ahead of 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia.

Morocco, who last reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in 1986, will face the runners-up from Group E in the last 16, with the identity of their opponents decided later on Thursday.

Morocco erase 36-year history

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Morocco broke a 36-year record of not reaching the group stages of the World Cup, following their 2-1 win over Canada in their last group stage game.

The last time the Atlas Lions reached the group stages of the World Cup was in 1986, and since then their efforts have been futile.

Morocco have been having an incredible outing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar so far, as they also finished as leaders in Group F with seven points.