Proud Morocco fans have vowed to do "whatever it takes" to make it to Qatar for their national side's historic World Cup clash against Portugal on Saturday.
The Atlas Lions became the first Arab side to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain on Tuesday, sparking euphoric scenes from Doha to Rabat and across the region.
Moroccans based in the Emirates are desperate to will their team on to another remarkable victory from the stands in Doha.
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Moroccan supporters in Paris celebrate after their team advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament. EPA -
A young man is thrown in the air by Moroccan supporters as part of celebrations in Milan, Italy. AP -
People celebrate at Msheireb Metro Station in Doha, Qatar, after Morocco beat Spain in a penalty shootout at the Fifa World Cup on Tuesday. Getty -
Thousands gather in Rabat, Morocco, to celebrate. AP -
Moroccan fans in Marseille party after their team's penalty shoot-out win at the World Cup in Qatar. AP -
Moroccan fans celebrate in La Ramblas, Spain. Reuters -
Moroccans party on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris. EPA -
Celebrations in Rabat, Morocco. AP -
Moroccan celebrations in Barcelona. AP
Ahmed Elmalouli, 40, head of the Moroccan supporters' club in the UAE, said he and many other compatriots are prepared to pull out all the stops to attend the match.
“My friends and I are heading to Qatar by car for Saturday’s game,” he said.
“I got the Hayya card to go to watch our previous matches, but a family emergency prevented me.”
He said the shock win over Spain brought joy to the hearts of millions of Moroccans and fellow Arabs.
Mr Ahmed watched the match with hundreds of others at Al Boughaz Al Maghribi restaurant in Dubai’s Deira district.
He said they were joined by ecstatic supporters from the UAE, Egypt, Palestine and Yemen after Achraf Hakimi's deft penalty sealed their place in the last eight.
“They were cheering and joining in the celebration after the glorious win,” he said.
'It's our duty' to cheer on team
Yassine Sibari , 45, managing director of Ralph Lauren Co Middle East, watched all Morocco’s matches live along with his teenage son, but missed Tuesday’s game.
“I watched it at the Sports City fan zone in Dubai along with over 1,000 people, some of who didn’t even find chairs,” he said.
“Its a national duty to be there for our team.”
He has booked a plane ticket for Doha and the search for a match ticket is well under way.
“I will get one and will be there at any price and no matter what it takes,” he said.
He has already sampled the carnival atmosphere of the World Cup in Qatar and was delighted to see Arabs of all nationalities unite behind Morocco.
He believes history will repeat itself with Morocco overcoming Portugal to earn a semi-final spot.
“It wouldn’t be the first one, the former team of the Atlas Lions defeated Portugal 3-1 back in the 1986 World Cup,” he said.
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Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrate after their penalty shoot-out victory in the World Cup last-16 match against Spain at Education City Stadium on December 6, 2022. Getty -
Morocco's players celebrate after their 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory. Getty -
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning penalty. AFP -
Morocco goalkeeper Bono saves from Sergio Busquets of Spain during the penalty shoot-out. EPA -
Dejected Spain players after the match. AFP -
Morocco players celebrate the win. AFP -
Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrates after the team's victory in the penalty shoot-out against Spain. Getty -
Achraf Hakimi of Morocco scores the team's fourth and winning penalty in the shoot-out against Spain. Getty -
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi scores the winning penalty. Reuters -
Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon watches Morocco's Achraf Hakimi's winning penalty hits the back of the net. AP -
Goalkeeper Bono of Morocco saves the third penalty by Sergio Busquets of Spain. Getty -
Morocco players react after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saves a penalty from Spain's Carlos Soler. PA -
Morocco's Hakim Ziyech scores a penalty shoot-out. AP -
Bono of Morocco makes a save against a penalty by Carlos Soler of Spain in the penalty shoot-out. Getty -
Unai Simon of Spain makes a save against Walid Cheddira of Morocco. Getty -
Spain's Marco Asensio hits the side netting with a shot. AP -
Spain's Marco Asensio after hitting the side netting with an attempt on goal. AFP -
Morocco keeper Bono punches the ball clear. Getty -
Morocco goalkeeper Bono is put under pressure by Marco Asensio of Spain. Getty -
Morocco's Nayef Aguerd heads a good chance over the bar. AP -
Morocco's Nayef Aguerd heads the ball over the bar. AFP -
Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco battles for possession with Ferran Torres of Spain. Getty -
Youssef En-Nesyri, Sergio Busquets and Nayef Aguerd challenge for the ball. EPA -
Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui and Spain's Ferran Torres battle. AP -
Spain's forward Marco Asensio fights for the ball with Morocco's Romain Ghanem Saiss. AFP -
Morocco keeper Bono saves a shot by Spain's Gavi. AP -
Spain manager Luis Enrique talks to Gavi. EPA -
Morocco keeper Bono tips a shot from Spain's Gavi on to the bar. Getty -
Spain's Gavi talks to Argentinian referee Fernando Rapallini after fouling Morocco's Sofiane Boufal. AFP -
Spain's Dani Olmo grimaces in pain. AP -
Spain's Aymeric Laporte challenges for the ball against Morocco's Walid Cheddira. AP -
Morocco's Nayef Aguerd walks off the pitch after picking up an injury. AP -
Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech talks with coach Walid Regragui. AFP -
Morocco's goalkeeper Bono punches clear. AFP -
Aymeric Laporte of Spain is booked. EPA
Zakariae Belafquih, 40, a sound engineer in Dubai, is determined to be part of a packed crowd at Al Thumama Stadium this weekend.
“Many of the players in the team are my friends and I will seek their help and help of other friends in Qatar to secure a ticket,” he said.
“I will do the impossible to get me a ticket.”
He drove with two of his friends to Qatar to see the team's last-16 success.
“An eight-hour drive was the smoothest and everyone on UAE and KSA’s borders were very co-operative and supportive."
While Morocco got the better of Portugal 36 years ago, Mr Belafquih believes there is a score to settle from the 2018 World Cup, when Portugal won 1-0.
Dubai resident Hicham Hansali, 48, flew to Qatar for the World Cup's opening stages and decided to stay there after Morocco’s first win.
“Their astonishing performance and wins compelled that I stay and support them,” he said.
Mr Hansali said he had been inundated with calls from fellow Moroccans eager for a ticket.
“So many are calling and want to come watch the next game here live. Today alone I received 10 calls so far about this.”
