Morocco Defeat Spain To Give Africa Hope Of World Cup

By Gharny Yeku

The last African team in the ongoing FIFA Mundial, Morocco defeated the Spanish team to progress to the Quarter-final stage.

Achraf Hakimi made himself a hero with a winning penalty to stun the 2010 champion, Spain in a shootout after a drab goalless draw.

Spain failed to convert any of their three penalties, with goalkeeper Yaccine Bonou brilliantly saving two.

The Spaniards dominate the possession while the Moroccans who topped their group sat back making life harder for European, with very few clear-cut chances being created.

Luis Enrique’s side came closest to breaking the impasse through Dani Olmo with a well-struck narrowed drive from the angle which Sevilla goalkeeper, Bonou parried away and also did brilliantly well to keep out Olmo’s free-kick later on in the match.

Morocco were playing on the counter and should have scored in the opening period but Nayef Aguerd sent his unmarked header over, while their only shot on target came via Noussair Mazraoui’s long-range drive which was gathered by Unai Simon.

With the sides not being able to be separated, the game went into extra time and substitute Walid Cheddira had Morocco’s best chance, but scuffed his shot straight at Simon from eight yards out.

Spain notched over 1,000 passes in the contest and almost won it in the 123rd minute, but Pablo Sarabia’s volley agonisingly flicked the outside of the far post.

Morocco is set to face the winner of Portugal versus Switzerland in the quarter-final and the world football fan communities are impatient to see the winner emerge.