Last hope of the African continent in this World Cup 2022, Morocco snatched its ticket for the quarterfinals. The Atlas Lions have shown their teeth once again after beating Belgium in the group stage, they have eliminated Spain at the end of the penalty shoot-out (0-0, 3-0 in shout outs) and they can thank Yassine Bounou who stopped three Spanish penalties. This is the first time in its history that the Kingdom of Morocco has qualified for the quarterfinals.
Africa remains in the running in this World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The last hope of the continent after the elimination of Senegal against England (3-0), Morocco, solid and very consistent, has knocked down Spain in a very intense match. The Atlas Lions won the penalty shootout (3-0) after having held the Spaniards in check for 120 minutes (0-0). The men of Walid Regragui will face Portugal who displayed a goal festival over Switzerland 6-1.
The tactical battle raged in this fifth round of 16 of great intensity. True to their playing principle, the Spaniards predictably put their foot on the ball with 69% possession and 372 passes in the first half. But despite this domination, Luis Enrique's men had difficulty to take the compact and dense block of Morocco. The proof is that Yassine Bounou had almost nothing to do in this first act, except to try to set the tone of the game of his team by being often the first relaunchers. Only a deflected shot from Marco Asensio (26th) disturbed his peace.
On the other hand, his Spanish counterpart Unai Simon was less calm. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was alerted to a free-kick from Achraf Hakimi (11th) that went just over the crossbar, but then had to make a double save a few moments later (33rd) to keep out Noussair Mazraoui's sonic shot after a high recovery in midfield. Then Nayef Aguerd's header, perfectly served by Sofiane Boufal on the left side of the pitch, went wide (43rd).
The second half was much more closed than the first, with very few chances for either side. His team without solutions against the Moroccan block, Luis Enrique tried to energize his attack at the hour of play by launching Alvaro Morata and Carlos Soler respectively in place of Marco Asensio and Gavi. But the Moroccan defense seemed to be too solid and well in place to be worried. However, it will know a big scare in the last seconds of the match. On the left, Dani Olmo curled a free kick towards the Moroccan goal, Rodri Hernandez headed it away and Yassine Bounou was not surprised when he pushed it off his line for a corner. The game went into extra time.
The Spaniards push in these extra time to try to force the decision. But they are very close to be surprised by the Moroccans. Walid Cheddira's close-range shot was saved by Unai Simon's shin by Azzedine Ounahi, who did a great job on the right. With the score tied after 120 minutes, the two teams had to go to a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
Morocco takes the ticket for the quarter-finals (0-0, 3-0 on penalties).
Spain lost all first three penalties as Morocco’s keeper made two saves and an upright prevented the third. Hakimi’s cool composure won the last penalty for Morocco.
