Morocco 0-0 Spain: Morocco through in shock penalty win
Morocco caused the upset of all upsets by beating Spain 3-0 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals.
The Atlas Lions had never won a knockout game at the World Cup before this tournament and went toe-to-toe with Spain for much fo this game.
For Spain the pressure was on to progress to the next round given their status as heavy favourites.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui only made one change to the line from the match up with Canada. Selim Amallah started instead of Abdelhamid Sabiri in the midfield.
Luis Enrique meanwhile had rotated his team in the truest sense and returned to his original tournament formation after ringing the changes for the game against Japan. Marcos Llorente was the only new face, lining up on the right side of defence.
Ball possession for Spain, Morocco with more duels won
La Roja started the game with their signature possession football while Morocco responded with disciplined positional play to keep the Spanish at bay.
One of these ball-wins allowed Morocco to counter down the right but Hakim Ziyech overhit his pass.
Spain remained patient and kept the ball moving but Morocco earned a free-kick in a good position after a foul on Sofiane Boufal. Achraf Hakimi’s shot beat the wall but also the crossbar – this in the 12th minute was Morocco’s chance and was the best either side had managed so far.
Out of possession, Morocco continued to stay disciplined and defend in numbers.
La Roja pressed when they needed to but Morocco were usually able to play themselves to safety. Nevertheless, the Spanish attackers almost got to the ball in front of Bono several times.
The most productive attacks belonged to Morocco. Boufal dribbled past a Spanish defender, but Ziyech was unable to convert his cross on 22 minutes.
As the half wore on Spain’s press yielded results. After half an hour Bono was only able to clear a back-pass to an opponent. He crossed the ball dangerously towards the goal but the assistant referee put his flag up.
As for Morocco, Mazraoui was able to work into a promising shooting position. Unai Simon initially had problems with the shot, but eventually got two gloves on it.
Morocco had two more good chances before half-time. First, after a good cross from Boufal, Nayef Aguerd could not place his header on target. And a few moments later, En-Nesyri Youssef could not reach the Ball from Ziyech because of a clearance from the Spanish defence.
Spain had more possession while Morocco won more duels.
The second half started just as the first half had ended: possession for Spain and tackles from Morocco.
After a free-kick from an acute angle, the first chance after the break belonged to the Spaniards. Dani Olmo’s shot was no problem for Bono punched the ball clear 10 minutes into the half.
Enrique realised that a change was needed. He brought on Alvaro Morata and Carlos Soler for Marco Asensio and Gavi. Morocco also brought on Abdessamad Ezzalzouli for the strong Sofiane Boufal perhaps surprisingly.
Aymeric Laporte then received the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Achraf Hakimi.
More opportunities in the game finally came in the in last 10 minutes. Spain’s best chance fell to Álvaro Morata, but he was uable to put the ball on target from a narrow angle on 82 minutes. At the other end, Hakimi had space on the right and got the ball to Sabiri in the penalty area. However, Sabiri did not see Ziyech in a better position and his finish was poor.
Spain had another good chance from a free-kick shortly before the end of 90 minutes, but the referee blew the whistle for offside.
No goals, second extra time of the tournament
In extra-time a good chance presented for Morocco when Sabiri broke Spanish lines and headed for goal. Laporte just managed to clear the ball as Sabiri was about to pull the trigger but the linesman flagged anyway.
Spain had a good chance after a cross into the penalty area but Alejandro Balde took too much time on the ball. This allowed a Moroccan defender to intervene.
Walid Cheddira had the best chance of the whole game in the 104th minute. A superbly worked Morocco attack led to him with a free shot in front of Unai Simmon, but the goalkeeper blocked the shot which was straight at him.
Morocco largely cut out better opportunities than Spain in the second half of added time but consistently lacked a killer instinct in front of goal.
Spain rallied in added time resulting in Sarabia volleying against the post from a tight angle.
Penalties
Sabiri scored the first penalty while the assonant Sarabia’s luck remained out – he hit the post to give Morocco genuine hope.
Ziyech scored, then Soler missed another for Spain. Morocco were now 2-0 up but Benoun saw their third penalty saved. Busquets then failed to make amends and Spain were on the rocks again.
Hakimi had the decisive penalty. He clipped it nonchalantly down the middle of the goal panenka-style to cause the upset of the tournament so far as his side became only the fourth African nation to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup.
Morocco will face the winner of Portugal and Switzerland on Saturday at 3pm.
