For the first time in their history, Morocco are through to the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup after emerging winner in the Andalusia derby, thanks to a Yassine Bonou’s heroics between the sticks in the shootout.
A fierce clash between the Atlas Lions and Spain ended goalless despite both nations creating decent chances to break the deadlock but unfortunately, neither Goalkeeper was beaten from open play.
The game finished in a stalemate, as it was when both sides met in a group game in the last edition of the FIFA World Cup, but this time, a penalty shootout was required to determine who progresses into next round.
Abdelhamid Sabiri took the first penalty, and the Sampdoria midfielder did well to bury his effort to the right, with Spain Goalkeeper, Unai Simon going the wrong way.
Pablo Sarabia smashed his effort off the post and Yassine Bonou denied Carlos Soler in between Hakim Ziyech’s penalty, which was kicked down the middle of goal with Unai Simon diving out of the way.
Unai Simon denied Badr Banoune but Bonou will not be beaten by any Spaniard from 12 yards, again saving from Sergio Busquets, leaving Achraf Hakimi with the decisive penalty, which he dispatched to send Morocco into their first ever FIFA World Cup quarter finals.
They await the winner of the clash between Portugal and Switzerland while Spain exit the tournament from the round of 16 for a second edition running.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
