Morocco shocked 2010 champions Spain on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the Qatar World Cup 2022 for the first time in their history. Following this epic win, fans took to Twitter to praise the African team and applaud goalkeeper Yassine Bounou's heroics.
Football enthusiasts in Doha's Education Stadium witnessed history unfolding on Tuesday as Morocco shocked 2010 champions Spain on penalties to seal their birth at the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
The Atlas Lions won the second shootout of the tournament after a thrilling but scoreless 90 minutes in their round of 16 encounter at the Qatar World Cup 2022, while Spain suffered a penalty heartbreak for the third straight tournament after failing to score a single spot-kick.
Absolute scenes. π³
Morocco are into the World Cup Quarter-Finals! π²π¦ |
A 25-yard free kick from Achraf Hakimi gave Morocco the opening opportunity of the first half, and Marco Asensio, who had made a great run to avoid the offside trap, smashed a shot into the side netting.
Unai Simon nearly caused a panic attack in the final seconds of regulation by taking too long in his area, but he was able to escape Morocco as the game entered extra time. The second half failed to produce any goalmouth action, with La Roja dominating possession but doing little with it.
During a rare break, the underdogs nearly broke the score in the waning seconds of extra time, but Walid Cheddira snatched the opportunity when through on goal and fired straight at Simon.
Spain was inches away from shattering the hearts of the Moroccans in the final seconds of extra time, but substitute Pablo Sarabia's shot hit the post.
Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler, and Sergio Busquets all missed their 12-yard attempts in the penalty shootout for Spain, while Abdelhamid Sabiri, Hakim Ziyech and Spanish-born Hakimi scored for Morocco. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star's game-winning Paneka and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou's heroics fired Morocco to the historic quarter-finals. They will now face the winner of Portugal vs Switzerland clash.
Achraf Hakimi, panenka to win the game! Incredible Hakimi, incredible Morocco, incredible atmosphere!! pic.twitter.com/PjtUVOkVgs
β Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien)HAKIMI WINS IT FOR MOROCCO!!!! pic.twitter.com/4xZvgDt7P2
β FootballMatrix (@FootbaIlMatrix)Morocco is the first African team to win a penalty shootout at the World Cup and the first to reach the World Cup quarter-finals since 2010.Β
"Morocco have conceded just ONE goal through 4 World Cup matches and are now headed to their FIRST EVER World Cup quarter-final. They drew Croatia and defeated both Belgium and Spain in the process. What an incredible story," noted one Twitter user.
Another added, "Achraf Hakimi was born and raised in Madrid to Moroccan parents, spent the first years of his life in Spain, and rejected approaches from Spain to play for the Morocco national team. Today, he scored a panenka penalty against Spain to send Morocco to the quarter-finals."
"Congratulations, Morocco, upon progressing to the World Cup Quarter Finals! Africa is Very Proud of You Tonight!" remarked a third fan.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou's heroics too received massive applause from Morocco fans. "Morocco π²π¦ well played! To play with this determination, skill and to have won with such patience. What a game Spain vs Morocco at the @FIFAWorldCup. And what a performance Bounou," said one fan on Twitter.
Another enthusiast commented, "Yassine Bounou - the best goalkeeper in La Liga last season puts up a heroic performance for Morocco π²π¦ to eliminate Spain πͺπΈ and send them out of the World Cup. What a story!"
Here's a look at some of the reactions on the micro-blogging site:
Achraf Hakimi was born and raised in Madrid to Moroccan parents, spent the first years of his life in Spain, and rejected approaches from Spain to play for the Morocco national team.
Today, he scored a panenka penalty against Spain to send Morocco to the quarterfinals. pic.twitter.com/w5bMINAmbz
Congratulations, Morocco, upon progressing to the World Cup Quarter Finals! Africa is Very Proud of You Tonight!
β BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine)Morocco π²π¦ well played! To play with this determination, skill and to have won with such patience. What a game Spain vs Morocco at the
And what a performance Bounou π₯
Yassine Bounou - the best goalkeeper in La Liga last season puts up a heroic performance for Morocco π²π¦ to eliminate Spain πͺπΈ and send them out of the World Cup.
What a story! ππΎππΎππΎ pic.twitter.com/r59wajlrMx
An appreciation Tweet for the 31-year-old Morocco Goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou Bono. Stopper! pic.twitter.com/GzaSXe1KnY
β ππ π€ππ€ βππππ (@MosesNgigeKE)Morocco have conceded 1 goal in 400+ mins of football in this World Cup. Unbelievable effort. Bounou is the KING!!
β Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq)What a grinding match it was.
Penalty shootout
π²π¦ Morocco β
β
ββ
πͺπΈ Spain βββ
Bounou hatrick of saves and his gimmicks before the shot confuses the players.
The best goalkeepers i have watched in international matches...from 2k
Buffon
Khan
Casillas
Neuer
Bounou
The best goalkeeper of this the World Cup is Yassine Bounou Bono.
Hit LIKE β€οΈ button if youβre agree pic.twitter.com/29S12uLnGt
Morocco π²π¦ π₯
Bounou with the saves π₯
Hakimi with the panenka π₯
African team into the quarter finals π₯
Unbelievable team performance! ππ½ pic.twitter.com/Sx898u8uKx
Put some respect in this manβs name. Yassine Bounou played a huge part. He was confusing the Spain players with his movement. Morocco showing anything is possible π pic.twitter.com/D7hAAYfXYc
β Adam (@FGRAdam)MOROCCO π²π¦ HAS SHOCKED THE WORLD!π€―
Morocco well played! To play with this determination, skill and to have won with such patience. What a game Spain vs Morocco at the
And what a performance Bounou π₯
pic.twitter.com/TVPy6jDWZ0
In two back to back days, two teams from Asia & Africa pushed the European heavyweights to limit and one got the job done, the other couldn't in PSO. But it shows the gaps are closing, there's no more underdogs at the highest level. Be proud of Morocco, Africa. Bounou β€οΈ pic.twitter.com/5Ld3Ejmit2
β Sayan (@Tweets_by_Sayan)Morocco wins Spain pic.twitter.com/cRyz6GKnHQ
β Troll Football (@TrollFootball)πΈ - Morocco players after reaching the World Cup Quarter-Finals. pic.twitter.com/NBLX6OXfF8
β ππ π ππππ π (@TheEuropeanLad)What a moment for Morocco π²π¦ pic.twitter.com/ouiIsmAQM9
β B/R Football (@brfootball)It's actually MAD that Morocco so far have conceded just ONE goal at the World Cup despite facing Croatia, Belgium, and now Spain, who they've eliminated. π€―
RESPECT TO THIS TEAM! pic.twitter.com/JjyX5TR9vl
A man born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, who chose to represent Morocco instead of Spain, steps up in the biggest moment of his life and chips a penalty down the middle of the goal to win the game and beat the country of his birth. There is nothing like the World Cup. Nothing.
β Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII)Iβm so so happy for π²π¦ β¦..shafted from hosting the by on so many occasions they deserve EVERY bit of good fortune that comes their way!! ππ»ππ»ππ» pic.twitter.com/Lh2VCPmlSS
β Joe Morrison (@joefooty)