Morocco Reaches Quarterfinals for the First Time Ever... Spain Eliminated in Round of 16 for Second Consecutive Tournament

Morocco Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou... Two Saves in Penalty Shootout

The Only Remaining Arab Nation Morocco, Fourth Ever 'Africa Quarterfinalist'

Spain, Most Penalty Shootout Losses in History... Eliminated in Round of 16 for Second Consecutive Time

Moroccan players who advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in history are celebrating.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] Morocco defeated Spain in a penalty shootout to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 52 years since their debut in the FIFA World Cup.

On the 7th (Korean time), Morocco played against Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. After a 0-0 draw through 90 minutes of regular time and 30 minutes of extra time, Morocco won 3-0 in the penalty shootout. Morocco broke their record of reaching the Round of 16 from the 1970 Mexico World Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time in 52 years.

Especially, the victory over Spain, the former colonial ruler, holds great significance for Morocco. Before this match, Morocco's record against Spain was 1 draw and 1 loss, but this game marked their first win. This achievement was made as the only Arab nation to advance past the group stage in this World Cup.

Morocco focused on defense. In the 25th minute of the first half, Marco Asensio’s powerful left-footed shot inside the penalty box hit the side netting, after which Morocco dropped their defensive line significantly and adopted a full defensive stance. Spain struggled, recording only one shot on target in the first half.

The situation did not change in the second half. Spain substituted Marco Asensio with ?lvaro Morata, who scored in all three group stage matches, in the 18th minute, and brought on Nico Williams in the 30th minute, but they could not break through Morocco’s tightly locked defense.

Afterwards, both Morocco and Spain had one shooting opportunity each but failed to convert. In stoppage time of the second half, Morocco’s Walid Cheddira fired a shot towards the goal after controlling the ball in front of the net, but was blocked by goalkeeper Unai Sim?n. Just before the end of extra time, Spain’s Pablo Sarabia attempted a shot that hit the post and went out.

Ultimately, the match went to a penalty shootout. Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stood out with his saves. Spain’s first kicker Sarabia missed by hitting the post, and Bounou saved the shots from the second kicker Carlos Soler and the third kicker Sergio Busquets, leading his team to the quarterfinals.

Morocco, having advanced to the quarterfinals, will face Portugal, who defeated Switzerland on the same day, at midnight on the 11th. If Morocco wins this match, they will become the first African team to reach the semifinals. African teams have previously reached the quarterfinals in the 1990 Cameroon, 2002 Senegal, and 2010 Ghana World Cups.

On the other hand, Spain, who aimed for their first championship in 12 years since the 2010 South Africa tournament, was eliminated in the Round of 16 for the second consecutive time since the Russia World Cup. In the Russia World Cup, they were eliminated in the Round of 16 after losing to host Russia in a penalty shootout, and ironically, penalty shootouts again proved to be their downfall this time. Spain has experienced the most penalty shootouts (5 times) in World Cup history and has also suffered the most losses (4 times) in shootouts.