The 2022 World Cup in Qatar delivered a surprise for football lovers across the globe: nine of Africa’s ten national sides advanced to the knockout round, a feat that outpaced both Europe and South America.
Morocco, the continent’s most consistent performer, reached the quarterfinals for the second time in its history, dispatching Spain and Portugal before falling to France in a tightly contested match.
Egypt came agonizingly close to toppling Argentina, holding the eventual champions to a draw before a late strike secured a 2‑1 victory for the South Americans.
Meanwhile, DR Congo stunned England with a disciplined display that saw the African side take the lead in the second half, while Cape Verde’s unexpected run captured the imagination of fans worldwide.
The Late‑Game Curse
Analysts point to a pattern of conceding decisive goals in stoppage time as a key reason Africa’s teams fell short of the semifinals, highlighting the narrow margins that separate continental rivals.