Achraf Hakimi scored the winning penalty for Morocco. Still, it was goalkeeper Yassine Bono who was the true hero for Morocco as he saved from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets after Pablo Sarabia – brought in only to take the penalty – missed Spain’s first kick.
Spain were ineffective in winning the match
The Spain national team hoped to win the FIFA 2022 World Cup, but they left at the same stage as in 2018 and, with the same tactic, losing on penalties. This time Spain fell to a 3-0 penalty shoot-out loss to Morocco after a goalless full-time match and then 120 minutes. Achraf Hakimi scored the winning penalty for Morocco. Still, it was goalkeeper Yassine Bono who was the true hero for Morocco as he saved from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets after Pablo Sarabia – brought in only to take the penalty – missed Spain’s first kick. In 120 minutes of regular action, Spain completely dominated possession with 77 per cent of the ball. But, they were ineffective with it.
La Roja are now out of the World Cup
Morocco had arguably the best chance in the first 45 minutes, with a free kick by Achraf Hakimi and a couple of aerial chances as Unai Simon failed to head his box. In the second half, La Roja improved with the introductions of Nico Williams and Alvaro Morata, creating several half-chances down their right. However, they still needed to breach their opponents’ defence properly. Again, the best chance was for Morocco and Walid Cheddira, with Unai Simon having to make a good save just before the 90 minutes were up. Spain continued to press in extra time, while Morocco played to take the game to the free-kicks. Realizing he was heading for a shoot-out, Luis Enrique took off Nico Williams and bet on Sarabia, who hit the post in the closing moments of the second half of extra time.
However, Sarabia hit Spain’s first penalty from the post, and it didn’t get much better from there, even if Unai Simon managed to save one penalty from Badr Benoun. Spain is now out of the World Cup, and Luis Enrique will be asked questions, especially since La Roja were eliminated at the same stage as last time. This loss means they have yet to make it to the quarter-finals since the year they won it all, back in 2010.