With a victory over Spain on penalties in Qatar, Morocco advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time ever, becoming the first North African team to do so.
After a goalless first half, second half, and extra period failed to separate the teams, Morocco defeated their opponents from the penalty spot, winning the shootout 3-0 with the help of two saves from goalkeeper Bono and some appalling Spanish attempts.
Achraf Hakimi, a Moroccan player born in Madrid, answered history’s call by calmly chipping Morocco’s winning penalty down the centre.
Spain paid the price for failing to convert its possession into goals during the game, as the 2010 World Cup champions’ meek elimination was brought on by bad penalty kicks from Luis Enrique’s team and outstanding goalkeeping from Bono of Morocco.
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All three of Spain’s penalty penalties were missed because Pablo Sarabia hit the post and Bono stopped Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets from scoring.
Morocco’s goals came from Abdelhamid Sabiri and Hakim Ziyech, although Unai Simon preserved Spain’s hopes by anticipating the best approach to deny Badr Benoun.
However, Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain neatly dinked the ball into the goal to secure the shootout triumph, igniting celebration among the Atlas Lions and their powerful fans inside the Education City Stadium — and undoubtedly far beyond.
For many people in Qatar, Morocco had already emerged as a surprise after finishing first in Group F with two wins from three games, including a stunning win over Belgium.
In a first for the North Africans, they will now play the winner of Saturday’s match between Portugal and Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
In the meantime, a Spanish team that combines the skills of young playmakers like Gavi and Pedri with more experienced players like Busquets will need to reorganise, possibly without Enrique at the helm, as they consider further significant tournament disappointment after the golden years of 2008 to 2012.
In fact, the Spaniards were eliminated on penalties for the second time in a row in the round of 16 of a World Cup, replicating their elimination against Russia at the same level four years prior.
Throughout the game, Spain had imposed their passing carousel on Morocco, frequently garnering ear-splitting jeers from the Moroccan fans in the terraces, but the Europeans created few noteworthy chances.
The greatest opportunity for Morocco came just before halftime when Nayef Aguerd misdirected a cross from Sofiane Boufal.
Hakimi and Ziyech continued to appear as their top counterattack outlets because to the North Africans’ low block.
The second half saw more Spanish control as Enrique added Alvaro Morata in an effort to end the score.
In stoppage time, the Atletico Madrid forward headed wide at the back post before Bono blocked a Dani Olmo tempting free kick that eluded everyone in the Moroccan area.
Spain was reaching a startling 80% of possession in extra time, but they remained unsatisfied.
Walid Cheddira, a replacement, had a wonderful opportunity to win it for Morocco when he slid free inside the box, but Simon’s legs stopped his side-footed shot.
Sarabia, a late substitute for Spain, agonisingly hit the post in the game’s closing seconds, signalling that it would not be his night and that more suffering would follow.
Spain faltered in the shootout while Morocco maintained composure as Walid Regragui’s team moved closer to a historic moment in Qatar on Saturday.
