Moroccan national team goalkeeper Yassine Bono commented on his team's 1-2 defeat against Croatia in the match for third place at the World Cup.
"We had to recover in a few days, but we still played a great match. Congratulations to Croatia and our teammates, because we did something very important. We felt that the whole country was supporting us. It was difficult to recover after the semi-final against France, and today we only wanted victory. It was impossible, but we can be satisfied with our performance at the World Cup," Bono said, as reported by journalist Alfredo Pedulla.
In the bronze medal match, Morocco was quick to respond to Croatia's 7th-minute goal, leveling the score just two minutes later. However, after Croatia's second goal, scored late in the first half, the Moroccans were unable to come back.
Despite the disappointment of the defeat, Bono's words reflect the immense pride and satisfaction the Moroccan team feels for their historic run at the World Cup. As the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition, Morocco's feat has captured the imagination of football fans around the world.
Bono's recognition of the support from across the country highlights the impact the team has had on their nation. The goalkeeper also acknowledged the difficulty of recovering from the emotional semi-final defeat to eventual champions France, which is testament to the team's resilience and determination.
