Yassine Bounou, Bono, put on a massive performance for his country as he saved 2 penalties with Morocco beating Spain 3-0 on penalties to move to the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup.
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The Atlas Lions had finished top of their group after a 2-1 victory against Canada with seven points. Spain finished second in Group E after their shocking 2-1 defeat against Japan as they just managed to progress to the next round by beating Germany on goal difference.
The first half had started very quiet with only a couple of key chances as Marco Asensio almost took the lead when his shot was fired at the side netting after running past the Moroccan defence, as well as Mazraoui’s powerful strike from distance which would be saved by Unai Simon.
Both sides were keen to break the deadlock in the next 45 minutes but the game still didn’t seem to be very lively. There wouldn’t be an interesting chance until the 96th minute where Olmo’s shot was blocked by Bono with Rodri or Nico Williams just needing a touch to take the lead.
With the game still goalless, extra time would have to be played. The Atlas Lions had a big chance to fire into the lead in the first half as Azzedine Ounahi went one-on-one with the Spanish goalkeeper as his low shot would be saved by Unai Simon.
Spain had the chance to win the game as the ball was played into the back where an unmarked Pablo Sarabia clipped the post from a tight angle. Only seconds later the whistle would blow for penalties.
With a mix of Spanish supports and Moroccans fans on each side facing behind the goal it would be an intense moment for both countries to book a place into the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup.
The penalty shoot-out would begin as Abdelhamid Sabiri would step up for the first penalty and place it nicely in the bottom corner. The post would haunt Sarabia again as he took the first penalty for the Red Fury side hitting the woodwork.
The Chelsea midfielder, Hakim Ziyech, fired his penalty straight down the middle giving the Moroccans a two-goal cushion in the shoot-out. The beginning of penalties would get worse for Spain as Carlos Soler’s slow run up would end horribly with his shot as he was denied by Bono.
Badr Benoun stepped up looking to make it three-in-a-row but couldn’t finish as his shot would be saved by the Athletic Bilbao keeper. Spain’s luck would only get worse as experienced midfielder Sergio Busquets saw his attempt saved by the Moroccan goalkeeper.
The Madrid-born player Achraf Hakimi would look to convert his penalty against the Spaniards and the dark horses of the tournament through to the next round as he dinked the ball into the middle of the goal, giving Simon no chance.
With Spanish hearts broken, they can only go home defeat wishing they could have taken their chances better.
After winning on penalties, Morocco have achieved their best performance in a World Cup by making it to the Quarter-Finals as they will look to face either Portugal or Switzerland.
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