Morocco stunned Spain to reach the World Cup quarterfinals

Morocco stunned Spain to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, with right-back Achraf Hakimi scoring the game-winning penalty kick in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw at Education City.

After Spain missed three penalty kicks and went down 3-0 in the shootout, Paris Saint-Germain defender Hakimi scored with a Panenka penalty. Morocco also made history by reaching its first quarterfinal, becoming the first Arab country to do so.

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Amazing Morocco make history by beating Spain

Morocco will play in a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time after defeating Spain at Education City. And by defeating either Portugal or Switzerland in Saturday’s last-eight match, the Atlas Lions will become the first African nation to reach the semifinals.

Coach Walid Regragui’s team had only conceded one goal in the tournament, an own goal, and their defensive organization was crucial in defeating Luis Enrique’s team.

Morocco was rarely troubled by Spain, but their inability to score during a normal and extra time meant the game went to penalties.

And it was there that goalkeeper Yassine Bounou established himself as a national hero, saving penalties from Sergio Busquets and Carlos Soler while also seeing Pablo Sarabia hit a post as Spain suffered the humiliation of losing a penalty shootout without scoring a single one of their spot kicks. Spain has now lost four out of their five World Cup penalty shootouts.

Morocco, on the other hand, now has the opportunity to advance further in this World Cup. Whoever they face in the next round will not be overshadowed by their opponents, and they could still advance to a semifinal against either England or France. Morocco’s progress in the first World Cup to be held in an Arab country ensures that the entire region has a team to rally behind.

Spain lack goals

Spain will be an outlier in Qatar 2022. Only England (12 goals) has scored more than Spain, which entered the Morocco game having netted 10 times in the group stage, but despite their numbers, Luis Enrique’s team poses little threat to well-organized opponents.

The 2010 World Cup winners’ 7-0 win over Costa Rica in their first game has skewed the picture because they tried everything against Morocco and never looked like scoring. Enrique started Marco Asensio ahead of Alvaro Morata, but the Real Madrid forward offered little threat and could only find the back of the net with his one clear chance in the first half.

Morata, who came on shortly after the hour mark, was a little better. He made more in-depth runs than Asensio, but his finishing and awareness meant he didn’t capitalize on the opportunities he created. Enrique was too slow in involving Nico Williams and Ansu Fati.

When they came on, the two forwards made a difference, allowing Spain to get behind Morocco’s well-organized defense. They were eliminated from this tournament because they lacked a cutting edge when it counted.

Morocco fans push team ahead

If the World Cup final in Qatar 2022 was decided by the best fans, we would all be looking forward to a match between Argentina and Morocco at Lusail Stadium. You’ve probably heard about Argentina’s fans, who have been spectacular in terms of their numbers, songs, and the way they have filled every stadium in a sea of blue and white. However, Morocco’s supporters have been equally vocal and passionate. This game brought out their best qualities.

Deep-rooted historical and geographical tensions between Spain and Morocco heightened the atmosphere, but it was the Moroccan fans’ incredible display of color and noise that enabled their team to make the game so difficult for Spain. However, Morocco’s support inside Education City extended beyond simply backing the Walid Regragui team. As the final African team in the competition, they already carried the hopes of an entire continent, but in the first World Cup held in the Middle East, Morocco’s presence as an Arab nation is also significant.

There were many Palestinian flags among the Moroccan flags, which have been prominent at every game involving a team from North Africa or the Middle East, and Morocco coach Regragui said before the game that his team knew they were representing more than their country.

“We come in with a winner’s mentality; we want to hoist the Moroccan flag,” he explained. “And yes, all Arabs and Africans, we want their prayers and support. Before it was just the Moroccans, now we’re going to add the Africans and the Arabs.” Morocco’s advancement to the World Cup quarterfinals is significant for the tournament and the region.