On June 23, 1998, the Morocco faced theScotland during his last group match of the French World Cup. THE Lions of the Atlas had not trembled. Taken by a Salaheddine Bassir inspired, author of a double, and by Abdeljalil Haddathe national team won with authority with a score of 3-0.
That evening, the Morocco had done the right thing. With intensity, realism and pride. For many minutes, qualification for the round of 16 seemed within reach. But the story was played out elsewhere, in the other match of the group, when the Norway overturned the Brazil at the end of the meeting. The Moroccan victory, as beautiful as it was, was ultimately not enough. A triumph on the field, but a cruel elimination in the rankings.
Morocco was led by the French Henri Michel. On the lawn of Geoffroy-Guichard, the Atlas Lions presented themselves with a generation which marked the history of national football, made up in particular of Mustapha Chadili in the goals, Noureddine Naybet, Abdeslam Ouaddou, Youssef Chippo, Mustapha Hadji, Abdeljalil Hadda (Camacho) and the star of this famous meeting, Salaheddine Bassir. A talented team which remains, almost three decades later, one of the most emblematic in Moroccan football.
In 2026, the Atlas Lions approach this meeting with a very different status. Since their historic journey to Qatarthey are no longer seen as a simple outsider. Morocco is now expected, observed and respected. His draw against Brazil during the first day confirmed that this team knew how to be present in major events.
