Morocco join list of semi-final surprise packages

Morocco's run to the last four at Qatar 2022 is not the first time a team has exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals, said an article published on the official website of 2022 FIFA World Cup after all the four quarter finals concluded on Sunday.

The article listed other surprising semifinalists at the World Cup in history.

Bulgaria and Sweden, 1994

The tournament in the USA in 1994 is remembered as a tournament at which several nations made their World Cup debuts, as well as being a competition replete with upsets.

Neither Bulgaria nor Sweden were expected to reach the latter stages, but they both defied those expectations. Sweden advanced to the round of 16 after finishing second in their group, picking up five points along the way including a win over Russia and draws with Cameroon and Brazil.

The Scandinavians continued their World Cup fairy tale by eliminating Saudi Arabia in the round of 16, and then defeating Romania in a quarter-final penalty shootout. They were finally brought to a halt in the semis, narrowly losing to Brazil.

Bulgaria's World Cup, meanwhile, was fueled in part by the brilliance of star Hristo Stoichkov. After winning twice in the group stage they defeated Mexico on penalties in the round of 16 and then produced an almighty upset by defeating Germany 2-1 in the quarter final.

Their journey eventually came to an end after narrowly losing to a Roberto Baggio-inspired Italy in the semi-final, before being beaten 4-0 in the third place play-off by Sweden.