Morocco continue their World Cup journey after stunning Spain 3-0 in a thrilling penalty shootout at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday night.
Coach Walid Regragui’s side knocked out the 2010 World Cup champions after holding them to a goalless draw. Luis Enrique and his charges struggled to penetrate a resilient Moroccan backline, who have been disciplined in defense, only conceding an own goal since the tournament began two weeks ago.
The north Africans did have opportunities to go ahead in the game when Walid Cheddira had a one-on-one opening, only to strike his shot straight at goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Cheddira got another opportunity in extra-time after a transitional play from the Moroccans, but failed to sort his feet out inside the box when he had to unleash the shot.
Substitute Pablo Sarabia came close to winning the game for Spain in the dying minutes of extra-time, but his strike whiskered the post and went out for a goal kick.
Paris Saint-German’s Achraf Hakimi sealed the victory with a cheeky panenka to send the Spaniards packing. The Spanish-born fullback produced a stellar performance to ensure his team holds on throughout the entire 120 minutes.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the star of the show, after saving penalties of Carlos Soler and Sergio Bosquets, while Sarabia struck the post, to earn himself a man-of-the-match accolade.
The Atlas Lions become only the fourth African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in South Africa in 2010.
Morocco is now one step closer to making history by becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals, but standing on their way is Fernando Santos’ Portugal.
Santos and Regragui’s sides lock horns at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
For the latest sport news from Sunday World, click here.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here
