Morocco reach the World Cup quarter-finals

It was an international derby between two countries and teams that share a topsy-turvy past and it was Spanish born Achraf Hakimi who scored Morocco’s winning penalty to reach the last eight of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

Action: Morocco, despite their efficiency and genuinely impressive tournament so far, were one half of arguably the worst game of the tournament when they shared a goalless draw with Croatia in the group stages and The Atlas Lions were keen on keeping their impressive defensive record going in this one.

Just a couple of miles separate the two closest points of these two countries’ mainlands and the tension of a derby match in a FIFA World Cup knockout could definitely be felt. 

The Moroccans have conceded the fewest shots on target per 90 minutes in the tournament and, at the half-time interval, the closest either side came to notching a goal was a near mix-up between Romain Saiss and Bono when playing the ball out from the back. 

The second-half became a lot more one-sided but the goalmouth action did not necessarily increase in correlation with Spain’s territorial and possession-based dominance.

La Roja did have the better chances in the second-half with sub Alvaro Morata getting in behind the tight and rigid Moroccan back-line but firing his cross-shot across goal for a throw-in with no fellow attacker gambling.

Morocco did suffer a from Nayef Ageurd being injured. The West Ham defender has struggled to settle into the starting line-up in east London but has been a colossus at this tournament. He was forced off with just under ten minutes to go.

Morocco had the odd flurry forward in the dying moments but it was Spain who nearly snatched the win in second-half stoppage-time when Dani Olmo’s free-kick drifted through the Moroccan defence and was put behind by Bono before Aymeric Laporte appeared to beat his man from the corner but couldn’t direct a firm enough header goalward, allowing Romain Saiss to clear and bring about extra-time.

The first period of extra-time was much of the same with the Spanish dominating possession but failing to offer a really precise and potent threat.

Then, moments before half-time in the extra 30, Morocco had the best chance of the game. On a swift counter attack, Azzedine Ounahi showed good judgement and clarity to calmly feed Walid Cheddira but the Bari forward, despite showing good strength to hold off two challengers, fired tamely straight at Unai Simon and Spain managed to clear.

Spain once again were the more dominant side against an organised and stubborn opposition but failed to make a clear-cut chance until deep into extra time second-half stoppage-time when Pablo Sarabia snuck round the back of the Moroccan defence and struck the post.

Spain failed to score a single penalty and Morocco eventually won the shootout by three goals to nil, despite Badr Benoun missing their third spot-kick. Achraf Hakimi calmly and nonchalantly waited for Unai Simon to dive before dinking his penalty down the middle and sending the north Africans through.

The big picture: Morocco have reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever and they have become just the fourth African side to do it ever. 

Born in Madrid he knocks Spain out!! 🇲🇦🇪🇸

Achraf Hakimi wins the penalty shoot-out with a panenka to see Spain out of the competition! 😲#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/QWWynN6821

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 6, 2022

Magical moment: Achraf Hakimi’s Panenka penalty. The Madrid-born PSG defender came through the academy of Real Madrid and the right-back dinked the winning penalty with almost immeasurable confidence.

Man of the match: Shared between Romain Saiss and Bono. The Besiktas defender, formerly of Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been a rock throughout the competition for Morocco and he continued his impressive form in this game. Bono has also been excellent throughout and the Sevilla goalkeeper saved two penalties to help his side into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

xG (after 90 mins): Morocco (0.35) 0-0 (0.61) Spain

Stat of the day: Spain completed 1019 passes in the match which is the most by any team in a match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.