Morocco not only held its ground against Brazil on the scoreboard. The Atlas Lions also made a mark in the game, demonstrating a real ability to compete with one of the greatest football nations in the world.
Against the Seleção, Mohamed Ouahbi’s men attempted 14 shots, compared to 12 for the Brazilians. This statistic reflects the ambition displayed by the Moroccan team throughout the match. Far from being on the defensive, Morocco managed to pose a threat and impose its rhythm at times.
According to data from OptaJean, Morocco has become the first team to attempt more shots than Brazil in a World Cup match since France in the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup. This ends a streak of 22 consecutive matches for the Seleção, which had always finished its World Cup games with a higher total of shots than its opponent.
Beyond the draw achieved against the five-time world champions, this statistic illustrates the progress of Moroccan football. The Atlas Lions are no longer content to merely withstand the great nations: they are now capable of dominating them in several areas of the game.
