FIFA World Cup 2022: Yassine Bounou heroics see Morocco stun Spain 3-0 on penalties

Xtra Time Web Desk: Yassine Bounou heroics under the goal saw Morocco stun Spain 3-0 on penalties in the pre-quarter final of FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Education City stadium on Tuesday. Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all failed to score for Spain in the tie-breaker while Achraf Hakimi scored the winning goal for Morocco.

The regulation time ended 0-0 with both sides failing to score. Morocco had the best chance of the first half when West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd headed over from close range. In extra time, following a drab second half, Morocco substitute Walid Cheddira was denied one-on-one by Unai Simon before Spain’s Pablo Sarabia grazed a post with a volley in the final minute.

In the tie-breaker, Sarabia missed the first shot as his shot hit the post. The next two shots by Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets were saved by Bounou. Abdelhamid Sabiri and Hakim Zivech were on target before Badr Benoun’s shot was saved by Unai Simon.  Achraf Hakimi kept his cool as he won the match for Morocco with a Panenka.                                                                         

Morocco will be the fourth African side to reach the quarter-final of a World Cup tournament, after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

The African nation will take on Portugal in the quarter final on Saturday, December 10.