Brazil players hold Pelé banner up following World Cup win against South Korea
Morocco dumped Spain out of the World Cup in a last-16 penalty shootout to make history as Spanish-born Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive spot-kick - with a panenka no less - after Spain squandered all three of their attempts, following a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes.
Hakimi, a product of the Real Madrid youth system, calmly dinked his penalty past Unai Simon in Spain’s goal to seal Morocco’s 3-0 win in the shootout.
During the 90 minutes plus extra time, Spain dominated possession but failed to create many clear chances against a stubborn Moroccan defence that has still conceded just one goal in this tournament.
The African side advanced to a World Cup quarter-final for the first time in their history and they will face either Portugal or Switzerland, who meet later on Tuesday, in the last eight.
Relive all the action with our live blog below:
Spain’s success inspired a generation of creativity without a clinical edge
There is a huge amount to be said for organisation and defensive solidity. It can keep teams up, keep them in a title hunt, level the playing field across 90 minutes when the general gulf in class between teams is enormous.
Positional play, resilience, aggression and minimising spaces between both lines and playing partners have always been hallmarks of what makes for good defensive work.
Somewhere along the way though, it began to change. Attack as the best form of defence became a mantra for some - most notably those who didn’t have the aforementioned traditional traits - and then, with Spain in particular leading the charge, possession as a means of preventing the opposition being able to attack became a prevalent sight.
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 pens) : Another game in which Luis Enrique’s side dominated possession without finding a breakthrough
Morocco defeat 3-0 Spain in a penalty shootout
What a penalty shootout for Yassine Bounou. He stopped two penalties and forced another onto the post. His efforts helped Morocco into the lead before Achraf Hakimi finished it off with a Panenka spot kick.
(REUTERS)
Morocco vs Spain player ratings: Sofiane Boufal dazzles as Sofyan Amrabat disrupts
Spain were eliminated from the Qatar World Cup by Morocco on penalties on Tuesday, with the underdogs reaching the quarter-finals after the last-16 tie finished 0-0 after extra time.
A clash with Portugal or Switzerland is up next, with those sides squaring off in the final last-16 fixture of the tournament.
Here’s how the players fared:
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on penalties): The underdogs knocked out one of the tournament favourites to advance to the quarter-finals
Morocco defeat 3-0 Spain in a penalty shootout
This is the first shock result of the knockout rounds. Morocco have eliminated Spain.
They made it incredibly difficult for the Spaniards to break them down during the 120 minutes and then held their nerve in the penalty shootout.
Morocco, the only African team left in the competition, make it into the final eight.
Morocco defeat 3-0 Spain in a penalty shootout
The stadium erupts as Hakimi’s penalty hits the back of the net. It’s heartbreak once again for Spain. They’ve been undone by yet another penalty shootout.
The Moroccan players are going wild. It’s the first time ever that Morocco have reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Penalties: Morocco 3-0 Spain
Can Achraf Hakimi, a man born in Madrid, knock Spain out of the World Cup?
GOAL! He does! He dinks the ball down the middle and Morocco win! They’re through the quarter-finals!
Penalties: Morocco 2-0 Spain
SAVE! The experienced Sergio Busquets can’t convert either! Bono leaps to his right and pushes the ball wide!
Morocco can win this now.
Penalties: Morocco 2-0 Spain
SAVE! Badr Benoun has only just come on and he softly knocks it to Unai Simon’s right and the goalkeeper is solidly in behind it. That’s a lifeline for Spain.
Penalties: Morocco 2-0 Spain
SAVE! Carlos Soler looks focused as he steps up to the spot. Bono smiles at him then leaps to his left. The Moroccan goalkeeper gets his hands to the ball and he palms it away!
Penalties: Morocco 2-0 Spain
GOAL! Hakim Ziyech is the next man up for Morocco. Can he keep the pressure on Spain?
Yes he can! He belts it down the middle.
