'Victory is Revenge'... Morocco Ignites Semifinal Match Against France

Morocco, Colonized by Spain and France in the Early 20th Century
After Defeating Spain in the Round of 16, Faces France in the Semifinals

On the 6th (local time), after the Round of 16 match between Morocco and Spain in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, Moroccan football fans were celebrating their victory by waving flags on the Champs-?lys?es in Paris, France. Photo by AFP·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] When it comes to the biggest upset of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Morocco's "African storm" reaching the semifinals cannot be overlooked.

Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in its football history and then defeated the powerhouse Portugal to become the first African and Arab nation ever to reach the World Cup semifinals. Despite Morocco's unstoppable momentum, the significance of the next match is even greater. The semifinal is a "revenge showdown" against their historic rival France, who once colonized them. The Morocco vs. France semifinal will be held at 4 a.m. KST on the 15th at Qatar's Al Bayt Stadium.

Morocco suffered 44 years of colonial rule under Spain and France. Located at the northwest tip of Africa, southwest of the Mediterranean, Morocco borders Spain to the north, Algeria to the east, and Mauritania to the south, making it geographically and historically very close to Spain. Facing Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco was influenced by the Reconquista during the medieval period, when Catholic kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula sought to expel Islamic forces, and continued to have conflicts with Spain thereafter.

Spain began its formal intervention after winning the Battle of Tetouan in 1860 against Morocco and signing the unequal "Treaty of Wad Ras." In 1900, Spain and France agreed to divide Morocco but did not set clear boundaries. Boundaries were established in 1902 and 1904, and by 1912, the two countries had made Morocco their protectorate.

Spain imposed harsh rule over Morocco, exploiting vast amounts of high-quality iron. In response, the Berber people of Morocco established the Rif Republic, but the colonial powers did not recognize it. This independence movement eventually led to the Rif War from 1921 to 1926, during which Spanish and French forces deployed hundreds of thousands of troops, tanks, warplanes, and even used poison gas, causing great suffering to Morocco.

Morocco's independence was only realized 30 years later, in 1956. As a result, many Moroccans still regard Spain and France as their enemies.

Morocco was able to somewhat relieve this long-standing grievance by defeating Spain in the round of 16. Moreover, before this victory, Morocco's record against Spain was one draw and two losses, making the round of 16 win their first-ever victory against Spain, which holds great significance.

A Moroccan football fan named Munir told the Associated Press, "Morocco beat Spain and Portugal, and now we must defeat France. They have always been our enemies." Another fan, Lubna Taleb, expressed her emotion to The New York Times after the Spain match, saying, "I will be forever grateful to the Moroccan national team for healing the wounds of colonial rule."

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