Morocco made history on Tuesday as it beat former World Champion Spain on penalties to reach World Cup last-8 after both teams played goalless 120 minutes.
Throughout the game, Spain hogged the ball and Morocco sat back plugging the gaps, with very few clear-cut chances being created.
Morocco created the best of only a few chances in the first half, including a close-range header by defender Nayef Aguerd that flew over while Marco Asensio hit the side-netting for Spain who dominated possession but failed to show real threat. Opportunities in the second period were also limited.
The two teams played out a draw after 120 minutes and Spain failed to convert any of their three penalties – goalkeeper Yaccine Bounou saving two – leaving PSG’s Hakimi to win it with a nerveless ‘Panenka’ to spark jubilant scenes.
Morocco’s defenders deserved all the glory, but so too their goalkeeper, brilliant in the shootout. Amazing scenes of celebration, and their coach received the slaps to his balding head once more. Spain can only reflect on another day when they dominated possession but could find no end-product, and that included the shootout.
Morocco will face either Portugal or Switzerland who meet later on Tuesday.
