World Cup 2022: Morocco Surprise Continues, Spain Is Defeated Through Penalty Shootout

JAKARTA - Morocco continued their surprise at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Atlas lions eliminated Spain in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup Qatar at the Education City Stadium, Tuesday, December 6.

The match was lame, but fierce. Spain, which appeared dominant in possession, had difficulty penetrating the super tight Moroccan defense.

That's what makes the winner can not be determined through normal time. In fact, even after 30 minutes of added time, neither team was able to score the winning goal.

The match was continued to a penalty shootout. At this moment, Morocco made its supporters cheer.

Morocco won on penalties after three Spanish executioners failed to execute their duties. Morocco also won 3-1 in this round.

Spain actually appeared so dominant by confining Moroccan players in their own defense.

However, the tight defense of the Atlas Lions frustrated the Spanish players. Luis Enrique's team also looks so monotonous in planning attacks.

In fact, Spain is often confused in dismantling the Moroccan back line which piles up their players in the defensive area.

Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech and his friends occasionally launched deadly counterattacks. As happened in the 32nd minute where Noussair Mazraoui almost found the net for Spain.

His shot from outside the penalty box led right to La Furia Roja's goal. However, Unai Simon was still quick to ward off the ball and prevent his team from conceding.

Towards the end of the first half, Morocco actually dared to come out pressing the Spanish defense. Several times the actions of Walid Reragugui's team made the opposing players confused. However, no goals were created until the break.

There was no significant change at the start of the second half. Spain still in control of the game. In the 55th minute, La Furia Roja got a chance from Dani Olmo's free kick, but goalkeeper Bono was still able to break it.

Seeing that his team's front line performance was not progressing, Luis Enrique then made a change in the 63rd minute. Alvaro Morata and Carlos Soler were brought in to replace Marco Asensio and Gavi.

In the 76th minute, Enrique again made a substitution. Ferran Torres, who started to lose his contribution, was replaced by Nicholas Williams.

Spain unceasingly pounded the defense of Morocco. However, Romain Saiss superbly directed the Moroccan defenders to continue to appear disciplined.

Chance after chance got both teams. Unfortunately, none of the goals were created in normal time. The match had to go into extra time.

In the first extra half, Morocco almost broke the deadlock. Walid Cheddira is actually in an ideal position to score goals, but Unai Simon is still nimble. He blocked the ball shot by Cheddira with his feet.

In the remaining 15 minutes of extra time, neither Spain nor Morocco could score the winning goal. The game finally went to penalties.

Penalty shootout results

Morocco

Abdelhamid Sabiri goal

Judge Ziyezh goal

Badr Benoun failed

Achraf Hakimi scored

Spain

Pablo Sarabia failed

Carlos Soler failed

Sergio Busquest failed

Lineup:

Morocco (4-3-3): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui; Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah; Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal

Spain (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Marcos Llorente, Rodri Hernandez, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo