Morocco made history by sending off Spain

Morocco's wining celebration|photo-collected

As soon as Ashraf Hakimi's penalty was scored, the whole of Morocco and the whole of Africa roared. Because Morocco is the only African team of this year's World Cup to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. After a goalless 120 minutes of play, the African Lions defeated Spain 3-0 in the tiebreaker to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. In the penalty shootout, Morocco's goalkeeper Bounor was brilliantly able to save Spain with 3 shots to one goal.

Watching Morocco's play throughout the match never once did it feel like they were there to lose. Atlas Lions fought tooth and nail with the 2010 World Champions.

The way African country Morocco played in the first 10-15 minutes of the match, it seemed that Spain would not care in front of them; But with time running out, Spain took over the pace of the match. But unlucky for them. Couldn't score a goal. Despite one attack after another, Morocco did not see a goal. Looking at the statistical table, it can be seen that only 31 percent of Morocco had possession of the ball. 69 percent was in Spain. But the Spaniards could not produce a proper ball for the goal.

In the fourth minute, Spain's Pedro gave a pass to Gavi by pointing his thumb at the Moroccan defenders. Morocco cleared before he controlled the ball and put it into the goal. Morocco got a great chance in the 12th minute. Ashraf Hakimi had a great opportunity! He takes the free-kick for Morocco. But it goes over the crossbar

In the 22nd minute, a poor free-kick by Moroccan Ziech from the right, Olmo cleared the danger. In the 25th minute, Gavi's shot from Spain hit the bar. However, the side referee raised the offside flag. But this time the ball hit the bar not once but twice.

Asensio hit the side of the net in the 26th minute. The goal is badly missed. Morocco also got a chance in the 33rd minute. Mazrawi snatched the ball from Torres. And then he took a powerful shot from outside the box. Simon makes the save somehow.

Morocco started playing well from the beginning of the second half. Spain had just one shot on target in the first half of the World Cup, the fewest in their World Cup history since 1966. Morata was dropped in the second half to increase the team's attacking edge.

In the 70th minute, Danny Olmore's shot from inside the D box was blocked by Agard. Dani Olmo's Bakan free-kick in the dying moments of the match was blocked by no Spanish player; When the opposite ball went into the goal, Bounau made a great save for the corner. Laporte headed in a great corner kick but was beaten by a solid Moroccan defense to end the match goalless. As a result, the match went into extra time.

From the start of extra time, Spain started to play desperately for goals. In the knockout round of major tournaments, all 6 matches of Spain went to extra time. But in the 104th minute, Morocco missed the easiest chance of the match. Unai found Simmons alone in the D box but hit the ball on him, denying Morocco a goal.

The 120 minutes ended in a scoreless situation when PSG star Pablo Sarabia's shot went off the goal post at the very last moment of the match.

Spain's Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Busquets failed to score from the first three shots in the penalty shootout. On the other hand, Morocco scored in the first two shots but missed the third shot. But Ashraf Hakimi secured the team's victory by scoring in the 4th shot.

Advertisement