For at least 25 minutes, Morocco believed they had a chance to upset Portugal. However, the experienced European side roared back in the second half and secured their second win at Egypt 2021 (33:20).

Portugal are now through to the main round of the 27th IHF Men’s World Championship and will start their group with at least two points.

GROUP F
Morocco vs Portugal 20:33 (12:12)

Morocco had previously won only two games at the IHF Men’s World Championship, both at Germany 2007, when they beat Angola and Qatar in the President’s Cup.

Therefore, Morocco were probably not even hoping to upset Portugal – this scenario would have only been a dream before the start of the game for the ‘Atlas Lions’.

Yet, dreams come true and miracles happen in handball, especially when you are playing passionately and highly motivated.

And this was exactly what Morocco did in the first half against Portugal. Despite not having the experience and depth of Portugal, the African side took an early 7:2 lead.

It was not the attack that stood out, rather than a superb goalkeeper as Yassine Idrissi saved 11 shots in the first 18 minutes, including two penalties.

It was also a clever way of punishing Portugal’s overeager approach, as coach Paulo Pereira went all-in by substituting the goalkeeper with an outfield player at all times in attack.

Morocco scored three empty-goal shots to keep their lead and give their attack a bit of breathing space, but Portugal’s experience brought them easily back into the game, going level in the break (12:12), despite converting only 48 per cent of their shots.

Everything began to unravel sooner rather than later for Morocco, as they simply were not equipped to stand their ground against the Portuguese powerhouse.

With Idrissi, who stopped six penalties at Egypt 2021 in his first two games, failing to register a single save between the 18th and the 47th minute, Portugal went on a 14:2 rampage, basically securing their second win.

The hummel Player of the Match, right wing Pedro Portela, played superbly for Portugal, scoring six of his nine goals in the second half, as the Portuguese side recorded their third-largest win ever at the IHF Men’s World Championship (33:20).

With four points out of two games, Portugal are through to the main round, irrespective of the result of their last game against Algeria.

On the other side, Morocco’s fate is out of their hands, facing a must-win game against Iceland on Monday. Yet beating Iceland could prove not to be enough if the European side win against Algeria later this evening.

hummel Player of the Match: Pedro Portela, Portugal

Photo: Egypt 2021