Morocco has just made its way into the quarter-finals by defeating one of the tournament favorites. Achraf Hakimi scored the game-winning penalty as Morocco advanced to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Morocco defeated Spain 3-0 in a shoot-out on Tuesday after a 0-0 draw. Spain’s head coach, Luis Enrique, claimed that his team practiced by taking 1,000 penalties as homework. However, Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler, and Sergio Busquets all missed from the spot. Madrid-born Hakimi dinked his house to the delight of Morocco’s wild crowd.
Spain had high hopes of repeating their World Cup victory from 2010. However, despite Spain having more of the ball and Morocco having fewer opportunities, Morocco won in the nail-biting match of the world cup. Morocco’s supporters erupted in whistling as their team lost possession. Morocco, the last remaining African and Arab team received a lot of support from their fans. Spain appeared in their second uniform because they were playing as a visiting team.
Pablo Martin Gavira has become the youngest player to start a FIFA World Cup 2022 knockout game. Previously Brazilian legend Pele in 1958 at 18 years and 123 days, held the record. Yassine Bounou, the goalkeeper for Morocco, deflected a Gavi shot onto the crossbar. Even though The referees would have called it an offside. Asensio fired a shot into the side netting despite Spain’s lack of offensive activity.
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Luis Enrique punished Rodri for making the incorrect decision with the ball. He pulled the obstinate and soiled Gavi and replaced him with Carlos Soler. Olmo’s free-kick made it through the goalmouth, but Bounou made a fine save to stop it. As the game grew stale in the minutes leading up to overtime, Spain produced better opportunities.
Walid Cheddira broke in down Spain’s left flank during the extra period. Morocco responded by gaining stability and testing Simon, who made a fine save with his legs to stop Walid.
Despite heavy pressure by Spain in the last moments before penalties, they could not trouble the Sevilla goalkeeper again. After Abdelhamid Sabiri had given Morocco the lead, Sarabia, who had been called up for the shootout, again hit the post from Spain’s first penalty. After this Spain was only able to score one goal in the penalty shootouts. Whereas, Morocco scored 3, paving the way for the quarterfinals for the first time ever in FIFA World Cup.