Qatar 2022 World Cup: Morocco beat Spain on penalties to reach quarter-finals.
The breaking news now is that Morocco becomes the first African first team to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals.
Morocco stunned Spain in a shootout after a goalless draw to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, thanks to Achraf Hakimi’s chipped winning penalty.
After 120 minutes, Spain failed to convert any of their three penalties, with goalkeeper Yaccine Bounou saving two, allowing PSG’s Hakimi to win it with a nerveless ‘Panenka’ to spark jubilant scenes.
The fans of the North African side had been making their voices heard throughout the game, but the atmosphere in the stands did not match the attritional battle on the pitch.
Spain dominated possession, while Morocco sat back and filled gaps, with few clear-cut chances created.
Dani Olmo’s arrowed drive from the angle was pushed away by Bounou, who also did brilliantly to keep out Olmo’s dangerous free-kick late in the game.
Morocco were playing on the counter and should have scored in the first period, but Nayef Aguerd sent his unmarked header over, while Noussair Mazraoui’s long-range drive was gathered by Unai Simon.
Because the teams couldn’t be separated, the game went into extra time, and Morocco’s best chance fell to substitute Walid Cheddira, who scuffed his shot straight at Simon from eight yards out.
Spain had over 1,000 passes in the competition and nearly won it in the 123rd minute, but Pablo Sarabia’s volley grazed the outside of the far post.
Morocco fans erupted at the final whistle as their team advanced to the last eight for the first time, where they will face either Portugal or Switzerland on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
The team defeated Spain by three goals to zero in Penalty Kicks.
Penalties: Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0)
Morocco vs Spain – World Cup 2022.
Morocco: ✓✓×✓
Spain × × ×.
Atlas Lions prevail over La Roja!
After the match ended tied at 0-0 after extra time, Moroccan supporters went into a frenzy when Achraf Hakimi scored the winning penalty kick in their 3-0 victory over Spain.
Residents of Tangiers, Casablanca, Chefchouen, and Rabat are the focus of this conversation. You have advanced to the round of eight in this competition.
Spain will not be continuing in the World Cup.
Penalty Kick
Full Time 120 mins ET: Morocco 0-0 Spain
After their elimination at the hands of Italy in the round of penalties, it would appear that Enrique assigned some reading to his EURO 2021 squad.
The goal was for each person to receive a total of one thousand penalties. It seems like we are heading in that direction, so it makes me wonder how many people have obediently done what needs to be done.
Second half underway of extra time
Sabiri tries to catch Simon off his line as Morocco kicks off, but the attempt
Half-time in extra time Morocco vs Spain
HT FT: Morocco 0-0 Spain
Now that the first half of extra time has passed, we are only fifteen minutes away from the start of the penalty round.
When it comes to penalty shootouts, Spain has a historically terrible record, as they have only been victorious once out of the four that they have competed in.
Even though Morocco will be hoping to wrap this up in the second half, this tidbit should provide them with some measure of relief.
At this point in the game, we are heading into extra time, and the mood at the Education City Stadium is tense. Riad Wehibe, who is from Marrakesh, claims that he has never been “this nervous” at a game before.
The football player, who was 25 years old at the time, was quoted as telling the media that “This is one of the biggest games in our football history.”
First Half Extra Time under way.
Full Time : 90+5 mins: Morocco 0-0 Spain
Olmo almost lands a winner
Olmo almost finishes it off as his free kick attempt from about 30m out on the left is saved by Bounou as he looks to aim for the right side of the net.
The resulting corner is taken, but the Moroccan defence are able to keep it out.
Spain win free kick in dangerous area
As the fourth official signals for five more minutes of stoppage time, Spain win a free kick on the far left about 25 metres out.
Soler provides the delivery, which finds Morata at the far right post, but the Atletico Madrid striker is unable to make anything of it as the ball sails over the bar.
72 mins: Morocco 0-0 Spain
Double change for Spain as Alba goes down
Alba is writhing in pain after colliding with Ziyech during a Morocco counter after a Spanish free kick attempt that was unsuccessful.
Asensio and Gavi are taken off the field by Enrique, who opts to make his substitutions during the break in play. They are replaced by Alvaro Morata and Carlos Soler respectively.
Although Alba has moved to the sideline, he has not yet been replaced, so it is possible that he will continue to play.
66 mins: Morocco 0-0 Spain
For the last few minutes, it’s been nonstop action.
Both teams have had numerous chances, but their attacks appear to falter in the final moments.
There’s a sense that the deadlock won’t last much longer.
56 minutes: Simon under pressure
After receiving the ball inside of his area, Simon is rushed by two attackers and has to clear quickly.
He fails to get any distance on it as the ball is intercepted by Boufal who tries to initiate another attack, but it falls apart.
48 mins: Morocco vs Spain
Second Half on ongoing .
If there was a World Cup to determine which country has the loudest crowd, I’m sure today’s crowd would be among the semi-finalists at the very least.
Also see Portugal vs Switzerland : Prediction Score, Cristiano Ronaldo demands excellence from teammates
Brazil and Argentina have received some of the loudest cheers inside Qatar’s stadiums, particularly the 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium, but African and Arab fans have given them a run for their money.
According to what I’ve seen so far in Qatar, the English crowd would not advance beyond the group stages of a World Cup of supporters.
First Half Time Morocco vs Spain 0:0
Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal.
Spain XI: Unai Simon, Jordi Alba, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Marcos Llorente, Sergio Busquets, Pedri Gonzalez, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio.
Read Also World Cup top scorers 2022 so far [Top 13]
Spanish attack neutralised
While Spain maintains their intense pressure, Morocco is able to maintain an organised and defensive shape in their own half of the field.
As Spain looks for any opportunities to take advantage of, the Moroccan supporters make a deafening amount of noise; however, Spain can neutralise the threat.
