The first two days didn't go well for the Arab countries in Qatar World Cup 2022. Hosts Qatar lost to Ecuador on the opening day before Iran got thrashed to England. But Saudi Arabia caused one of the historic upsets in World Cup history and began what seems to be a brilliant fightback from the Arab countries after that.

Saudi Arabia did begin the Arab Spring, one may say. The Saudis, the second-lowest ranked team at the World Cup and coached by former Morocco boss Herve Renard, beat Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-1 to deliver one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history. Tunisia followed them and held Denmark for a goalless draw on Monday. 

Danes denied by woodwork in scoreless draw with Tunisia

And now Morocco, another Arab country held the current runner-up Croatia for a draw at Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday. 

Morocco are 10 places below 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia in the world rankings. Before the match, Morocco's coach Walid Regragui said that Saudi's win over Argentina inspired them and they wanted to do something similar against Croatia.

"I watched the Saudi Arabia game earlier - 31% possession and they had three shots on target, but they won against Argentina, against the best player in history," Regragui said ahead of the Croatia clash.

"If Croatia doesn't allow us to have full possession tomorrow, OK, then we need to be very strong at the back. If they decide to give us that playing time, then we need to know exactly what we're doing with the ball when we have it," he added.

Morocco captain Romain Saiss said the Saudi win proved once again that anything was possible in football.

"When you see the result (Saudi Arabia) were able to have against one of the favourites it gets your creative juices flowing," he added.

"It whets our appetite."

In the match, Croatia threatened to break the deadlock number of times but Morocco's defence held together and denied a goal while they made a few moves in the opposition box now and then.