Morocco eliminates Spain on penalties and already has its best World Cup

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Spain is out of the World Cup in Qatar.

The 2010 world champion, considered one of the favorites for the title, lost to Morocco at the Cidade da Educação stadium, stopping at the same stage of the 2018 World Cup, in Russia.

With the 3-0 triumph in the penalty shootout, after 0-0 in normal time and in extra time, the Moroccans made history.

The best result of the selection in North Africa in a World Cup had been in Mexico, in 1986, the round of 16, when it lost to Germany.

Now, in its fifth participation in Cups, it is in the quarterfinals. The opponent of the Moroccans on Saturday (10) for a place in the semifinals will come out of the confrontation between Portugal and Switzerland.

Morocco also became the first Arab team to reach the second knockout stage of a World Cup, and precisely in the first edition hosted by an Arabic-speaking country.

The Moroccan classification also served to prevent the Qatar Cup from continuing only with teams from Europe and South America.

The other representatives of other continents who had passed to the round of 16 (USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Senegal) succumbed to the favorites.

The first half of the game this Tuesday (6th) in Al Rayyan was almost drowsy.

Even with 70% possession, Spain created almost nothing. The team coached by Luis Enrique took a single shot at the goal defended by Bounou-Asensio, out in that stage.

Morocco, in three attempts in the first 45 minutes (plus one extra time), hit Unai Simón’s goal at least once: left-back Mazraoui took a risk from outside the area and the number 23 defended.

In the second stage, the panorama changed little. Spain had the ball most of the time, but did not know how to overcome the Moroccan defense, which placed the ten outfield players in the defense field.

Morocco, for its part, seemed to feel the physical part and didn’t have the strength to counterattack. Coach Walid Regragui used the five substitutions he was entitled to try to reinvigorate the team, without much success.

Already in the additions, close to 50min, the Spaniards almost scored in a dead ball, with Olmo, but Bounou saved.

Extension.

In which the scenario of almost the entire match, especially in the second half, was repeated, attack (from Spain) against defense (from Morocco).

Luis Enrique changed Spain, who played in the reserve kit (light blue shirt), forming the attack with Morata, Nico Williams (who had already come on during the second half) and Ansu Fati. No effect.

In the second half of extra time, Sarabia entered Spain, who in the last shot hit, grazed, the post. It was the best opportunity of the game.

No goals. Penalty shootout.

Then, as had happened on Monday (5), when Croatia eliminated Japan, a goalkeeper shone in the maximum penalties.

Bounou, who plays in Spanish football (Sevilla), saved the shots from Soler and Busquets – Sarabia repeated what they did at the end of extra time and hit the post.

Only one Moroccan player (Benoun) missed his kick. They hit Sabiri, Ziyech and Hakimi, who, born in Spain (Madrid), sealed the classification of the Africans.

The result of the match stretches the excellent campaign of the North African selection in this Cup.

Morocco remains undefeated after drawing with Croatia in the group stage and beating favorites Belgium and Canada.

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