With all of Africa’s hopes resting on the able shoulders of Morocco, the Atlas Lions did not disappoint as goalkeeper Yassin Bounou stood tall in penalties to send his nation to the quarter-finals of the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup for the first time ever in their history.Geographically separated by just 14 kilometers, there was little to separate both sides in the opening half following a tense opening five minutes that was marked by a high rate of turnovers in possession.BREAKING: Blow to FKF as SDT quashes arbitrary nullification of leaguesFans at the Education City had to wait till the 11th minute to witness the game’s first effort on target when Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi stood behind a freekick just at the edge of the area but he fired it high.Hakimi with a Panenka Penalty to send Morocco through to the Quarter-Finals of The World Cup for the First Time! 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/ugQE7CfyUr— My Greatest 11 (@MyGreatest11) December 6, 2022 Spain almost benefitted from a defensive mix-up from Morocco when goalkeeper Yassin Bounou’s pass was intercepted by Marco Asensio who crossed it to Gavi but his shot was pushed to the bar by Bounou and cannoned back for Dani Olmo whose shot was blocked by Sofyan Amrabat before the offside flag was raised.Luis Enrique told his Spain side to practice 1,000 penalties before the World Cup.They scored zero in their shootout with Morocco 🤐 pic.twitter.com/v5ohTgF00n— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 6, 2022 Morocco again came close to breaking the deadlock when Noussair Mazroui floated in a cross to the back post that was headed back towards goal by Hakim Ziyech but Aymeric Laporte was on hand to head the ball clear.The 2010 World Champions almost went into the break with a lead at the stroke of the halftime mark when Olmo stretched inside the area but Morocco hacked it clear as the whistle was blown for halftime.##NAJAVA_MECA_6870963##After a poor first half, Spain came into the second half a much-improved side and registered their first shot on target when Olmo blasted his freekick from a narrow-angle that was palmed away to safety by Bounou.Luis Enrique’s side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession for huge spells of the second half and turned on the screw in the closing stages as Morocco looked exasperated but they stood tall at whatever was thrown at them.Spain’s best chances of the game were being conjured from set pieces but Morata should have done better with his header from a Carlos Soler free kick that he headed just wide off the mark.Morocco desperately held on for the draw to send the game into extra time after defending a free kick from Olmo that almost went all the way but Bounou was again on hand to deny the RB Leipzig forward.##NAJAVA_MECA_6871887##Playing their first knockout game of the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, Morocco lacked the composure needed on the big stage as Walid Cheddira was played through on goal but his shot was straight at Unai Simon as Spain breathed a huge sigh of relief.In the second period of extra time, Morocco had a real go but were again let down by poor decision-making from Cheddira who was again through on goal but his attempted cutback was smothered by Rodri.Scottland-based forward dreams of representing Kenya in 2026 FIFA World CupMorocco withered a late storm from Spain who had a late flurry of chances including a chance at the back post by Pablo Sarabia whose effort skimmed off the post as the game went to penalties.Sabiri scored the first penalty but Sarabia and Soler failed to convert Spain’s first two penalties with Benoun and Busquets also joining the list of misses, leaving Hakimi to win it for Morocco.
