In Pictures

Photos: The best moments of Morocco’s historic World Cup campaign

On and off the pitch, Morocco lit up the football tournament in Qatar like no other team.

morocco vs portugal — Morocco coach Walid Regragui is thrown in the air by his team in celebration after the win against Portugal in the quarterfinal of the World Cup [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

From players throwing their coach in the air and dancing with their mothers on the pitch, to waving the Palestinian flag as they celebrated historic victories to the deafening noise of the Viking thunderclap, Morocco lit up the football World Cup in Qatar like no other team.

After beating higher-ranked opponents such as Belgium, Spain and Portugal, the Atlas Lions reached the last four of international football’s most significant tournament – the first African and Arab team to do so.

Here, Al Jazeera has gathered some of the most striking moments of Morocco’s fairytale run on and off the pitch.

Noussair Mazraoui battles for the ball during the Morocco vs Croatia match on November 23 for Group F. The clash at Al Bayt Stadium ended with a goalless draw. [Showkat Shafi/ Al Jazeera]

belgium vs morocco — Nayef Aguerd in an aerial duel in the group-stage match against Belgium at Al Thumama Stadium. The November 27 encounter ended with a 2-0 victory for Morocco. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Canada vs Morocco — Sofyan Amrabat, one of Morocco's outstanding players in the tournament, vies for the ball during the final group-stage against Canada at Al Thumama Stadium, which ended with a 2-1 victory for the North African team. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Morocco vs Spain — Youssef En Nesyri challenges Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon for the ball during the round of 16 knockout match at Education City Stadium. After both normal and extra time ended with no goals, Morocco took the win on penalties 3-0. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

Morocco's players celebrate at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) — The Morocco team hold a Palestinian flag during the celebrations after the victory over Spain. [Glyn Kirk/AFP]

morocco fans — Fans celebrate Morocco's win against Portugal. The Atlas Lions' supporters were among the loudest in the tournament. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

morocco football mother — Morocco's Sofiane Boufal, left, celebrates with his mother after his team's win in the quarterfinal against Portugal, in one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament. [Luca Bruno/AP Photo]

Noussair Mazraoui — Having already made history, Morocco faced France on December 14 in the semifinal. Here, Mazraoui is monitored by France's Ousmane Dembele during the match at Al Bayt Stadium which ended with a 2-0 victory for reigning champion France. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

morocco vs france — Keeper Yassine Bounou and other Morocco players were disappointed to see their dream of reaching the World Cup final. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

hakimi — Hakimi and his PSG teammate and friend Kylian Mbappe of France hug after the match. [Hannah Mckay/Reuters]

Croatia vs Morocco — Morocco faced Croatia on Saturday at the tournament third-place playoff. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

morocco viking thunder clap — Morocco supporters performing the so-called 'Viking thunderclap' during the match against Croatia. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]