Morocco booked a surprise spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter finals after a hard fought penalty shootout victory over Spain.
Spain missed all of its three penalties in the shootouts, with Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquests all failing to beat Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Morocco became only the fourth African country to reach the quarter-finals, in what was only their second knockout game at a World Cup.
Morocco is also the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight. The team made the round of 16 once before, at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
The clincher was a little chip shot by Achraf Hakimi that sailed into the center of the net as keeper Unai Simón dived ineffectually.
“We felt the support of our fans, be it in Morocco or any other country in the world,” said Bounou, who plays for Spanish club Sevilla and saved two of the three penalties he faced in the shootout.
Morocco will face the winner of the last Round of 16 match between Portugal and Switzerland in the Quarterfinal round.
