Africa’s only remaining team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco, stunned Spain to progress to the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
The Atlas Lions beat one of the favourites Spain 3-0 on penalties with PSG right back Achraf Hakimi scoring the decisive spot kick. The match ended goalless after extra time.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou played a vital role in saving penalties from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets after Pablo Sarabia had hit the post.
Meanwhile, Spain have exited their last three major competitions on penalties. This is after they lost to Russia at the 2018 World Cup and to Italy at EURO 2020.
MOROCCO MAKE HISTORY
This is the first time in their history that Morocco reach the quarterfinals finals of a FIFA World Cup. They also become the fourth African nation to achieve the feat after Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal.
Coach Walid Regragui also becomes the first-ever African coach to reach the last eight of a World Cup.
The North African country will now meet Portugal in the quarterfinal clash on Saturday, 10 December, at 17:00.
Portugal trashed Switzerland 6-1 in another last-16 match on Tuesday night.
Coach Fernando Santos left star player Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for the clash and came on for the last 15 minutes of the game.
Santos said he did not like Ronaldo’s antics when he was replaced during the win against South Korea.
“Everything is finished, full stop, regarding that issue. Now we have to think about the match and everyone is focused on the match,” said Santos.
QUARTERFINAL FIXTURES CONFIRMED
Croatia will take on favourites Brazil in the first clash on Friday, 9 December at 17:00.
Netherlands and Argentina will lock horns in the second last-eight match later on the day at 21:00.
On Saturday, Morocco will tackle Portugal at 17:00.
England will take on France in the last match of the quarterfinal clashes at 21:00.
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