Qatar 2022: Regragui’s Troops Boot Spain Out On Post Match Penalties

A brimming show of heart and confidence made the Atlas Lions prevail over 2010 World Champions Spain courtesy a 3-0 post match penalty score, after the game ended zero-all in regular time – and indeed, extra time in a ramped up Education City stadium.

Walid Regragui and his men marsh on to the quarter finals for their first time in history, eclipsing their personal best record of 1986 – where they ended in the round of 16. .

The first big chance came for La Roja at the 27th minute. Alba launched the ball down the left to Asensio who ran beyond the Moroccan defence. One-on-one with Bounou, he crashed the side of the net with his strike from a tight angle.

The Atlas Lions came back at the 33rd minute to test Simon. He was put on trial for the first time in the entire match when Mazraoui dispossessed Torres before unleashing a powerful effort from outside the box. The goalkeeper got his body behind it, and claimed the all on second attempt.

Morocco would have netted the game’s opener at the 43rd minute. Hakimi’s cross from the right was flicked towards Boufal by Busquets who tried to clear it away. The former Southampton man shifted onto his left foot before he crossed to Aguerd who missed the target.

That was pretty much that for the first half. Spain dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes, but it was Morocco who looked the more dangerous on the attack. Having the first shot of the match, with Hakimi curling a free-kick over the bar, Mazraoui forced Simon into a save before Aguerd had a chance to score from close range. Spain’s only scoring opportunity of the first half came through Asensio, who broke free of the Moroccan defence before he slammed the side of the net from a tight angle.

Chances were at a premium in the second stanza and Morocco was resolute all through.

Spain’s first sniff on goal in the second half came in added on time (90+5). Olmo’s cross-shot was pushed away by the Bounou. Any touch from either Rodri or Williams would have caused the goalkeeper problems.

Pablo Serabia had a chance to kill the game in the last minutes of second half extra time. His volley from a set play just brushed the outside of the post, and that was a relief of Yassine Bounou.

Penalty shootout statistics didn’t favour Spain especially in their last two major tournaments. In 2018 they lost to Russia on shootouts at the round of 16, and most recently, La Roja lost to Italy in the 2021 European championship semis.

Bounou was the hero as he stopped penalties from Busquets and Carlos Solere. Sarabia thumped his against the bar. Morocco was more clinical with Ziyech, Hakimi and Sabiri converting their spot kicks. Badr Benoun’s was saved by Simon, but the Atlas Lions were clinical enough to clinch the post match penalties via a three – nil margin.

Morocco became the fourth African nation to make it through to the quarter finals after : Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010). The Atlas Lions await the winners of the Portugal – Switzerland match in the quarter finals.

Starting XI Morocco

Bounou (Gk),

Hakimi, Aguerd, Hakimi, Saiss, Amrabat, Ounahi, Ziyech, Boufal, En Nesyri, Mazraoui, Amallah

Substitutes: Benoun, Yamiq, Attiyat Allah, Sabiri, Cheddira, Ezzalzouli

Starting XI Spain

Simon (GK)

Rodrigo, La Porte, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Gavi, Pedri, Olmo, Asensio, Torres, Llorente

Substitutes: Nico Williams, Soler, Morata, Fati, Balde, Sarabia