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Morocco v Spain: World Cup 2022 last-16 tie goes to extra time – live

Yassine Bounou makes a late save as Spain's Nico Williams looks on. We go into extra-time.

Yassine Bounou makes a late save as Spain's Nico Williams looks on. We go into extra-time. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Yassine Bounou makes a late save as Spain's Nico Williams looks on. We go into extra-time. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

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Key events

106 min: Spain go on the attack immediately, and the ball is played to Fati by Soler and the control by the Barca youngster is poor. The final touch has been lacking all night.

105+1 min: Spain get a corner, and actually pump it in. The ball comes back to Llorente, after Bono makes a good fist of clearing the ball. Corners have all been dealt with superbly by Morocco. And that’s the end of the first half of extra time.

104 min: Cheddira – again – has a big chance. He storms through and Simon, to be fair, makes a good save with his legs. That was a big chance and Cheddira is causing problems for Spain.

Walid Cheddira with a huge chance for Morocco!
Walid Cheddira with a huge chance for Morocco! Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock

102 min: Fati again finding a glimmer as Bono and El Yamiq get in a tangle. Then Rodri, in a change in tack, steps forward and attempts a long ranger.

101 min: Spain looking for a goal, Morocco looking for a counterattack. The game is more ragged than before but that’s the pattern of play.

99 min: Morata does well, gets to the byline, and his ball is aimed for Williams, only for the ball to be headed away by some more exemplary Moroccan defending.

97 min: For Spain, Ansu Fati is on, as Balde, with Dani Olmo one of those making way.

95 min: Morocco on the break. Cheddira finds space and seems shocked to have such time, and then wastes it. His shot should not register as a shot.

Walid Cheddira has an effort on goal.
Walid Cheddira seems to be blaming someone else for that shocker. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters

93 min: If Morocco are to find a way into the game, then Hakimi, tireless down the right flank, seems to be the best source of it. Ziyech has given something of a Chelsea performance.

91 min: Back we go again, that break felt very short. Spain have to find something, Morocco seem to fancy the penalties, and have made four subs already.

Full-time: Morocco 0-0 Spain

And that’s the scoreline that’s been coming from the first minutes, pretty much. Neither team is capable of creating anything of note. Spain dominate possession, Morocco dominant in attack defence. But will anyone blink? Penalties look almost certain at this point.

90+5 min: Olmo brought down again, and a last chance for a free-kick into that packed Morocco box. Olmo skids it in and Bono claws it away as Nico Williams runs in, then the corner is hacked away, and that’s it. Full-time.

90+3 min: More Spain panic? Some Morocco panic, too, a fresh air shot from a couple of their attackers but the offside flags spares all blushes.

90+2 min: Simon almost gets caught in doing Unai Simon things. He’s a danger. Then Morata tackles – and fouls – a screaming El Yamiq.

Unai Simon displaying his usual calmness with the ball at his feet.
Unai Simon displaying his usual calmness with the ball at his feet. Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images

90 min: Olmo is booked, Saiss is booked, and Spain have a free-kick they will undoubtedly overelaborate on. No…Soler whips in and Morata heads wide. Five minutes added on here.

88 min: Morocco finally starting to find space in Spain’s half, and it’s usually Hakimi at the centre. That opens space at the other end where Amrabat, outstanding, steams in to quell the danger from Morata and Williams. There was also a flag on the play.

86 min: A Morocco chance of sorts. Hakimi does Hakimi things, and his cross finds Cheddira, one of those three subs, but they can’t get a decent connection. The Morocco fans launch into song, hoping to inspire their team.

84 min: Aguerd is down, just afer Morocco make three changes. A stretcher comes on, and West Ham fans will know he’s prone to a knock. They’ve seen very little of him but he’s had a very good World Cup.

Elsewhere:

So this second incident happened when the spectator entrance was shut. It had stayed open during first half so fans getting late tickets could still enter. When it was shut it caused chaos with an officer falling off his horse and then a pushback against the fans. https://t.co/ANijkLw8qN

— Kathryn Batte (@KathrynBatte) December 6, 2022

81 min: Spain try to push on. Morocco already looking to pens? Very probably. Morata finds space in the box but his shot is angled across the box and nobody is chasing in.

80 min: Williams escapes down the wing, and Aguerd, the lesser spotted Hammer, clears behind. Then Morata gets Llorente down the flank, an overlap and Saiss knocks behind.

78 min: Olmo swings and skews a ball wide. At least he is having a dig. Bono has had very few saves to make. Spain are being asked to pick up the momentum but are doing little to find it. Morocco have completed half their mission, now for the next, find an attack from somewhere.

Dani Olmo looks exasperated.
Dani Olmo looks exasperated. Photograph: Bagu Blanco/Pressinphoto/Shutterstock

76 min: Two changes for Spain: off goes Ferran Torres, on comes Nico Williams. Then Laporte picks up the first booking for launching into Hakimi. It’s not been anything like the beef expected in pre-match.

74 min: Hakimi hacks clear, the ball goes to Ziyech but Amrabat can’t keep it. Morocco have been as poor in possession as they have been excellent in attack. Spain keep patient, and Olmo is clattered. The Argentinian ref waves on play again. Let it flow are his watchwords.

72 min: The game continues in its pattern of Spain in possession and Morocco defending deep. But then Ziyech picks up the ball in space, playing it to Amallah but his colleague can’t control the pass.

Hakim Ziyech in action for Morocco.
Hakim Ziyech in action for Morocco. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

70 min: Gareth Bain: “Are your sources sure? It doesn’t sound a bit like the ululation I’m used to from my fellow South African amaXhosa brethren?”

69 min: More RHCP national anthem fun, this time from Chad Smith, from Ike Proud: “Thanks for the MBM, and thanks for introducing me to Flea’s bass solo national anthem. Have you seen his Chilli Peppers bandmate Chad Smith playing the US national anthem? Not particularly remarkable, except for the fact that Chad Smith is their drummer…”

68 min: Spain win a corner, just their second of the game. They take it short, of course, and then keep the ball. They will not be getting it launched, oh no.

66 min: Off goes Boufal, and on comes Ezzalzouli, the 20-year-old. Morocco need some youthful energy.

Correction from Christophe Silvey (from Timperley?): “That’s not exactly whistling, that’s ululation, I don’t know if it’s only the women doing it, but it’s a Berber thing, seen in Battle of Algiers and old Foreign Legion films…”

64 min: Boufal signals to the bench now, and he looks done. Alba is back on, and actually jogging. Perhaps it was an impact injury. He got plenty of the magic spray from the physios.

63 min: Bono scrambles under a spinning ball, leaping up to punch it clear, and as the ball breaks, it’s apparent that Jordi Alba has a problem. It looks like a hammy. Spain make two changes: Morata and Soler come on, as Gavi and Asensio go off. Jordi Alba can’t have long for this game. He’s done that thing where they wipe their face with a shirt, usually the end of the affair.

61 min: Nick Parish is here all week: “In answer to your question asking about the comparison between Garang Kuol and Norman Whiteside, Whiteside was born in 1965 so he’s the older (by a fair bit to be honest). “

59 min: Hakimi is down after being smashed into by Gavi. Spain keep pushing on, and they must be hoping their opponents are tiring. It’s been a manful Moroccan effort.

58 min: Outside the ground, there’s been some regrettable scenes.

There had been relative calm for some time but suddenly it has all kicked off again. More fights between security and fans after a horse lost its rider. pic.twitter.com/tRtnMvitEB

— Kathryn Batte (@KathrynBatte) December 6, 2022

56 min: Big cheers as Amrabat, who has been outstanding as Morocco’s holding player, breaks up play and sprays the ball forward. Only for an offside, and that’s a waste of a rare Moroccan attack.

54 min: Spain get a free kick down the inside left, and they take short, Asensio takes to Olmo who blasts it from a narrow angle, and it’s fisted away by Bono.

Bono in goal for Morocco.
The Morocco goalkeeper had the Desire to clear the ball, a bit like The Fly there. He’s obviously having a Beautiful Day keeping out the Spanish forwards. Photograph: Pedro Nunes/Reuters

52 min: The loud whistles mean Spain have the ball. There’s no need to look up to see. Eric Petersen gets in touch: “I was within seconds of inadvertently starting an international incident because of anthems. In a prior era, as a sports announcer in Minnesota, I was often called upon to sing the Star-Spangled Banner in my broadcasting travels. A new league member in Thunder Bay, Ontario, meant when that team visited my hometown, I would first sing O Canada for the visitors, as is custom, and then proceed with the Banner. Upon my first visit to Thunder Bay, I found that my reputation had preceded me and I was asked to perform the anthems there. I was in the press box, all set to launch myself into the first notes of O Canada, when I overheard the public address announcer introducing me “to sing the Star-Spangled Banner FOLLOWED by O Canada.” Just in the nick of time.”

The bass solo national anthem is preferable.

50 min: Ben Roberts is a busy man: “Unfortunately I only have 30 minutes in Casablanca before jumping on the slow train to Marrakesh! There are 3 African diplomats in my carriage having an intense geopolitical discussion. I hope they are going to Marrakesh too! Also I forgot to mention that I am very much backing Morocco today unlike my 5-yr-old, who was born in Madrid and 9s very much backing Spain! “

49 min: Had a few complaints about the Argentinian referee being a bit lax on the Moroccans tactics. But I’m not too sure. Morocco get a glimmer when Unai Simon gets i tangle as Ziyech chases him down. Wasn’t he supposed to be good with the ball at his feet?

Unai Simon just about escapes the attention of Ziyech.
Unai Simon just about escapes the attention of Ziyech. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

47 min: Ferran Torres is pulled back by Mazraoui, who is not booked for some reason. Spain take the free-kick quickly, whip the ball in and En-Nesyri, a forward, gets back and heads the ball out.

46 min: We are back underway, and the news is that Spain had just one shot on goal in the first half. That’s testament to Morocco’s defending and Spain’s determination to walk the ball into the net…Spain begin the half by passing the ball around as if shooting on goal is not their problem.

Message for Ben Roberts:

@JohnBrewin_ re. Ben Roberts (28 mins) I spent the last Champions League final the same way. I’m in the pub in Casablanca with a spare seat for you if it goes to penalties, and let me know if you need a good venue to watch England vs France on Saturday. Dima Maghrib!

— Nick Cherkas (he/him) (@nickcherkas) December 6, 2022

John Moloney gets in touch from Denmark: “I enjoyed the profile of Azpilicueta by Sid Lowe this morning; Azpilicueta always seems like a really decent bloke as well as being really quite good at football. I had the good luck to be at Parken with my family to see the cracking match between Spain and Croatia in the Euros - great game and a terrific atmosphere.

“We were sitting by the Croatian supporters who were brilliant, but got a bit overexcited as things turned pear-shaped. Parken is a really tight ground and an element of the Croatia supporters started hurling beer and plastic beer glasses at the Spanish players. Azpilicueta came to take throw right in front of ua and duly got the treatment. His reaction was great - stayed cool (if annoyed) and turned to the crowd and asked them reasonably to show a little respect. Impressive restraint and although it did not stop the problem entirely it certainly took a lot of heat out of the situation. Azpilicueta is a grown up in a world where there are not so many.

Talking of which, Gavi is going to end up on the naughty step if someone does not point out that he isgetting a bit overexcited.”

Half-time: Morocco 0-0 Spain

As you might expect, Spain have dominated possession but less expectedly, the Moroccans have made the better chances. Sofiane Boufal’s missed header was something of a sitter.

Sofiane Boufal had the best chance of the first-half for Morocco.
Sofiane Boufal had the best chance of the first-half for Morocco. Photograph: Héctor Vivas/FIFA/Getty Images

45 min: Just a minute added on, and it’s been breathless stuff, if very tight. The half ends with a hurried Morocco clearance.

44 min: Asensio wins a corner, taken quickly and then Pedri zings in a ball that nobody attacks. That’s where they needed Julio Salinas to nod the ball in.

43 min: A frantic Spain have to get it launched as Laporte has to head a Ziyech headed cross back out. Morocco look the more dangerous on the attack, actually capable of creating chances.

41 min: Jeremy Boyce gets in touch: “Morocco clearly need to channel their inner Jose 2010 Champions League final, lest we forget, beating Bayern 2 - 0 despite “enjoying” only 30% possession. The goals were scored on 35 and 70 minutes, we’re nearly there... “

We’re past the witching hour, but Morocco go close. Rodri has to head the ball back out and it comes to Boufal, and that’s a free header…missed. That should have been gobbled right up.

40 min: All Spain, but still no penetration. Hakimi is a high-class defender, as well as a high-class overlapper and he makes sure Dani Olmo gets nowhere fast.

38 min: Correction from Ben Blatch-Hanlon: “I think you’ll find that Gavi is actually the youngest player to feature in a World Cup knockout game since Australia’s (and soon to be Newcastle’s) Garang Kuol against Argentina on Saturday just gone, who himself was the youngest since Pele. Gavi was born on 5 August 2004 while Kuol is a sprightly month and ten days younger.”

How does that compare to Norman Whiteside on 1 July 1982?

Stormin’ Norman Whiteside slips through the Yugoslavia midfield in 1982.
Stormin’ Norman Whiteside slips through the Yugoslavia midfield in 1982. Photograph: Mark Leech/Offside/Getty Images

37 min: Morocco could not be said to be one of those teams who engage in the high press. It’s more a low press. Spain are pressing high but have created very little. Olmo and Asensio are skating round the fringes but finding very few spaces.

35 min: Ferran Torres seeing plenty of the ball out wide, and the whistles continue but he is trying to having to beat three men at a time. Spain are putting very heavy pressure on, but Morocco are sat back in numbers.

33 min: First real shot in anger from Morocco, as Zaroury finds space to charge on and shoot. Simon, as per, doesn’t look too comfortable but gets the job done.

Unai Simon eventually gathers the ball in the Spain goal.
Unai Simon eventually gathers the ball in the Spain goal. Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images

31 min: Pedri goes on a dart down the left, but Morocco have withdrawn into a defensive shell.

Paul Bellsham, one of our esteemed photo editors, cuts in: “Not wishing to blow my own... a cornet is more compact than a trumpet, with more bends leading to a mellower parp.”

29 min: David Sweet has an anthem tale, a good one: “A number of years ago, Yugoslavia (yes, that long ago) were playing Luxembourg in the Grand Duchy. To the consternation of the hosts, the team marched off when the Yugoslav national anthem was played. It turned out that it was the pre-war anthem associated with a fascist government! The match could only start after a radio appeal brought an emigré taxi driver, who had the ‘right’ anthem on a tape in his cab, to the ground. Luckily, Luxembourg is not very big!”

By the way, Spain continue to dominate possession and the Moroccan fans in the stand are beginning to look very nervous.

28 min: Ben Roberts gets in touch: “By happenstance I am working in Morocco today and tomorrow. I boarded a train from Tangiers to Casablanca on the stroke of kick-off, leaving behind an increasingly excited local population to the quiet of the high speed train (300kmh!) that is currently zipping through the countryside. No live television on this train so it’s MBM all the way. I’m due to arrive in Casablanca just after full time!”

Of all the MBMs in all the world…etc etc etc.

26 min: Asensio rattles the side-netting. Chances opening up for Spain? Morocco tiring already?

25 min: Spain should have scored. Well, if they were not offside. Bono comes out, doesn’t find what he is looking for, and Gavi hits the bar. With or without the offside, that should have been buried.

Offside but should be in the back of the net.
Offside but should be in the back of the net. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
Gavi hits the bar!
Gavi hits the bar! Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

23 min: Spain attempt to right themselves, but Morocco will not let them settle. Boufal goes down, having slipped after barging into Llorente. It looks like one of those incidents when a player goes down to protect himself from further action.

21 min: Morocco fancy this now, and former Southampton enigma Sofiane Boufal has just performed an amusement arcade shuffle that Denilson would be proud of.

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