Achraf Hakimi scores panenka as Morocco dump Spain out of the World Cup after dramatic penalty shootout
Morocco are through to the World Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over 2010 winners Spain.
In what was a cagey affair, neither side managed to trouble their opponents as both teams looked slow and lethargic.
As expected, Spain dominated ball possession but again failed to make good use of it. Morocco showed great fighting spirit as they frustrated Luis Enrique’s side.
Extra-time substitute Pablo Sarabia nearly won the match with the very last kick but the Paris Saint Germain forward saw his effort glanced off the far post.
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After 120 minutes, the match ended 0-0 and a penalty shootout was needed to determine the winner of the contest.
Morocco went first and Abdelhamid Sabiri scored his kick, but Sarabia, who could have scored the winner in normal time saw his penalty rattle off the woodwork.
Sarabia gets Spain off to a horrible start hitting the post!! 😬#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/h5G0kbmPJl
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 6, 2022
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech then smashed his effort straight down the middle as Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon dived to his left.
The pressure was on the Spaniards as Carlos Soler stepped up but Bono was there to make a stunning stop.
Simon then gave his side a lifeline as he managed to save Badr Benoun’s kick.
Veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets also faltered as Bono made another great save. Spain have failed to score any of their first three penalties.
Achraf Hakimi was presented with the chance to send his country through to a first-ever World Cup quarter-final, the PSG star showed nerves of steel as he scored the winning penalty with a cheeky panenka. Jubilant celebrations broke out as Morocco managed to upset one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Born in Madrid he knocks Spain out!! 🇲🇦🇪🇸
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 6, 2022
Achraf Hakimi wins the penalty shoot-out with a panenka to see Spain out of the competition! 😲#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/QWWynN6821
This is the second World Cup in a row that Spain have lost in the first knockout round after they lost via another penalty shootout against Russia in the 2018 World Cup.
Morocco are through and will face either Portugal or Switzerland in the next round.
Topics: Spain, Football World Cup, Football
Marcus Chan