The semifinalists who made history before Morocco

Morocco just made World Cup history by becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals of the tournament after eliminating Portugal against the odds (1-0). France will be its rivals this Wednesday for a place in the final but after leaving other European powers on the road such as Belgium (0-2) in the first leg and Spain on penalties (0-0 and 3-0 ) in the eighth.

In addition, Morocco scored only one goal -and an own goal- in the five games it played in Qatar 2022. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most incredible achievements in the history of World Cups, but if What other teams were also surprised when they stood in the semifinals?

Undoubtedly the edition that broke the mold was held in 2002. Taking advantage of the host situation in Japan, South Korea reached the semifinals at the hands of Guus Hiddink. A victory that was never repeated and also achieved by Turkey at that time. None of them reached the final after losing, respectively, to Germany and Brazil, who would win the title in Yokohama (0-2).

Backed by passionate fans and highly controversial refereeing, South Korea topped the group after beating Poland (2-0) and Portugal (0-1) and drawing against the United States (1-1). Controversy has arisen ever since.

South Korea, from controversy to controversy

In the round of 16 Korea eliminated Italy in extra time (2-1) who shouted against the performance of Ecuadorian Byron Moreno and Spain in the quarterfinals on penalties (0-0 and 3-5) after the Egyptian Gamal Al-Ghandour disallowed two goals for La Roja, one for Fernando Morientes after Joaquín was adjudged to have crossed from the bottom line when the ball came out. Finally, Hiddink’s team fell in the semifinals against Germany (1-0) with a goal from Michael Ballack.

Also in 2002, in their second and last participation in a World Cup, Turkey started losing to Brazil (2-1) but a draw against Costa Rica (1-1) and a win against China (3-0 ) helped them become almost invincible. his group as second.

In the round of 16, Turkey beat co-hosts Japan (0-1), in the quarterfinals they beat Senegal after extra time (0-1) and Brazil ended their semifinal dream with a single goal from Ronaldo. In the consolation match, the Ottomans defeated South Korea (2-3) and reached third place. Hakan Sükür opened the scoring at 10.8 seconds with the fastest goal in World Cup history.

Looking back further, Croatia stunned in its first appearance at a World Cup, in France 1998, after its independence by finishing third with a generation led by Boban, Jarni, Prosinecki and Suker, winner of the Ballon d’ Or with 6 goals.

They finished second in the group behind Argentina and in the quarterfinals they defeated Germany in a resounding 0-3. France eliminated him in the semifinals (2-1) but won the consolation match against the Netherlands. They went further in 2018 when they fell in the final against France (4-2) and in Qatar they will face Argentina on Tuesday for their third semifinal at a World Cup, the second in a row.

The 1994 edition of the United States will always be remembered for Bulgaria by Stoichkov, Balakov, Kostadinov, Sirakov, Ivanov and Letchkov. An unrepeatable generation that already lost Argentina 0-2 in the group stage affected by the positive test given by Diego Armando Maradona in the previous match.

In the quarterfinals the Bulgarians defeated Germany (2-1) before succumbing to the semifinals against Italy (1-2) with a brace from Roberto Baggio and finished fourth after being defeated by Sweden (4-0). Stoichkov, with 6 goals, shared the Golden Boot of that World Cup with Russian Oleg Salenko.

Host Chile in 1962

Earlier, in 1962, Chile took advantage of being the organizer of the tournament and having the support of the fans to achieve its best classification, the third place, thanks to its victory over Yugoslavia (1-0). Leonel Sánchez, with 4 goals, shared the top scorer title with Brazilians Vavá and Garrincha.

Earlier, in the group stage, Chile defeated Switzerland (3-1) and Italy (2-0) in a difficult game that went down in history as ‘the battle of Santiago’. In the quarterfinals they defeated the USSR (2-1) and the champion Brazil eliminated them in the semifinals (4-2).

United States, in the first edition, in 1930

Finally, in the inaugural edition of the World Cup, held in 1930 in Uruguay. The United States reached the semifinals in a tournament with fewer games than today. He only had to beat Belgium and Paraguay 3-0 in his group (with the first hat trick in the history of the tournament, the feat of Bert Patenuade, to be in the top four before being beaten by Argentina (6-1 That The team consists of newly nationalized British players (five Englishmen and one Scotsman).