MOROCCO DEFEAT SPAIN TO ADVANCE TO WORLD CUP QUARTER FINAL

MOROCCO DEFEAT SPAIN TO ADVANCE TO WORLD CUP QUARTER FINAL

Morocco beat Spain to advance to the world cup quarter final, the match was played in Education City Stadium, the referee in charge of the game was 44-year-old Argentine Fernando Rapallini. Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui named a strong line up, he used a 4-3-3 formation, Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech started in attack, Wolverhampton center back Saiss and Paris Saint Germain right back Hakimi started in defence. Morroco coming into this game have been very strong defensively as they have conceded only one goal in the world cup.

Luis Enrique named a 4-3-3 formation, Barcelona young stars Gavi and Pedri started in the midfield, the two have exceptional for Spain in this tournament coming into this game.

The first half ended goalless, Spain had much of the ball but weren’t able to create chances, their real chance came through Asensio who was able pass the Moroccan defence but couldn’t find the back of the net. Spain were better in the second half but they couldn’t get pass the Moroccan defence, their first shot on target was through Dani Olmo in the 54th minute but Bounou pushed away Olmo’s powerful effort before Morata missed the target with a header.

Spain played with urgency in extra time but the Moroccan defence was very strong; Spain almost had a goal in the late stages of extra time but Sarabia free kick hit the post.

Bounou was the hero of the penalty shootout, he saved three spot-kicks, Morocco converted three of their spot-kicks, Simo was only able to save Benoun’s effort, Hakimi’s penalty sent Regragui’s side to the quarter – final.

Morocco became only the fourth African country to reach the World Cup quarter final after Cameroon did in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010, Morocco celebrated in style tossing their goalkeeper and their coach in the air. They will face the winner of Switzerland and Portugal in the Quarter Final.