Morocco, the only team from Africa left in World Cup 2022, showed great spirit and grit to hold Spain goalless in 120 minutes of play before winning the penalty shootout 3-0.
Morocco entered the Quarterfinals of FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history. Their previous best was the round of 16 in 1986.
Spain which had the bulk of the possession at 77%, will rue the fact that in 120 minutes of play, they could only have 13 attempts with only one shot on target.
Spain, which had long been regarded as one of the best footballing nations never to have crossed the quarterfinals, was thought to have broken the jinx as they won the world cup in 2010. However, since then, their form seems to have slumped with elimination in group stage (2014), and round of 16 (2018 and 2022).
In the penultimate round of 16 match, Morocco was prepared to let Spain come to them while having a go at the Spanish defenders on the counter attack.
Morocco’s plan worked well as the spirited and organised defence denied Spain any shot on target in the first half.
On the other hand, Morocco’s forward Boufal caused quite a few problems for the Spanish right defence winning free kicks and putting in crosses into the penalty box.
In the first half, the best chance for Spain was when Asensio beat the offside trap but his attempt hit the side netting. For Morocco, Mazraoui had a well struck long range saved by Spanish keeper Simon.
In the second half, Spain introduces centre forward Alvaro Morata and right winger Williams. The substitute duo was able to penetrate Morocco defence. The presence of Morata as the centre forward seemed to be swinging the match in Spain’s way. Suddenly, there were more crosses in and more gaps as Morata pulled away defenders with his movements in the penalty box.
Will this man be the match winner? He’s knocking on the door.😬 #MAR #ESP pic.twitter.com/4wJjih3d99
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Spain had its first and only shot on target when Olmo shot straight to Morocco keeper Hamdallah from a tight angle off a play from free kick. However, it was comfortably fisted away.
Moratta created half chances with his runs in the 82nd and 89th minute.
In extra time, Morata had a clear header but it went way above the cross bar.
In the 97th minute, William’s curling crossed from the right beat the keeper and defender. With an open goal in front, it flew just high of Morata and Spain failed to find the breakthrough.
However, the best chance of the match went to Morocco in the 104th minute when Ounahi sent a through ball to Cheddira.
Cheddira came one-on-one with Spanish keeper Simon but his shot hit the right thigh of the keeper.
WHAT. A. SAVE. #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/7rdO6Hic9X
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 6, 2022
Pablo Sarabia nearly scored for Spain with the last shot of the match, but his shot from a very tight angle hit the far post and the match went into penalties.
Morocco was first to take the kick from the spot.
Sabiri scored with a low shot to the left; while Spain’s Sarabi hit the left post.
Ziyech then sent Morocco’s second kick straight down the middle into the net; while Carlos Soler’s weak shot to the left was comfortably saved by Morocco keeper Bono as Morocco took a commanding 2-0 lead.
THE HERO 👑🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/WCaCZEmHqh
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 6, 2022
Benoun missed Morocco’s third kick as his weak shot to the right was saved by Simon. However Spanish veteran Busquets had his weak shot saved as Spain failed to make a comeback.
Hakimi scored Morocco’s fourth penalty with a gentle shot down the middle as they won 3-0.
Morocco became the fourth African nation to enter the quarterfinals of FIFA World Cup after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).
Morocco will play the winner of Portugal-Switzerland match in the quarterfinals.
