Spain suffered a shock defeat to Morocco in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions won 3-0 on penalties following a goalless stalemate and they progressed into the quarterfinals, while the Red Fury were eliminated from the tournament.
Spain started the better of the two teams and nearly opened the scoring in the third minute when Dani Almo met a right-wing cross with a superb diving header that went over the bar.
Morocco had a chance four minutes later when Sofiane Boufal tried his luck from a distance but saw his stinging effort brilliantly saved by Unai Simon.
In the 25th minute, some great individual skill from Hakim Ziyech saw him create space for himself just outside the box, but his thunderous effort went narrowly wide of the target.
Ten minutes later Marco Asensio met a corner kick with a strong header, but he saw his ten-yard attempt brilliantly saved by keeper Yassine Bounou.
The half ended 0-0.
Spain came out attacking in the second half and came close to opening the scoring in the 58th minute when a 16-yard volley from Sergio Buesets was parried away from goal by Bounou.
Alba picked up the loose ball thereafter and squared for Torres, but he skewed his shot wide with an empty net at his mercy.
In the 66th minute, Selim Amallah received a low pass just outside the box and drilled a fine strike toward the goal, but saw his attempt magnificently palmed away by Simon.
Spain created their second real chance on goal only in the 77th minute when Gavi powered an 18-yard shot narrowly over the crossbar.
Ten minutes later Spain were at it again when Laporte met a precise pass with a nice touch on the edge of the box and produced a shot on goal, but the Morocco keeper was up to the task.
Morocco did most of the attacking in the first half of extra time, but Simon continued to frustrate the Atlas Lions as he denied substitute Walid Cheddira with a good save in the 105th minute.
Ansu Fati was looking lively for Spain forced Morocco goalkeeper Bono into a great save after beating his marker four minutes after the restart.
Bono then made another good save to deny the Spanish striker to ensure that game ended in a goalless stalemate, and a penalty shootout followed.
Morocco went on to win 3-0 on penalties after Bono proved to be the hero – denying Sergio Buesquets and Carlos Soler while Pablo Sarabia’s spot-kick hit the foot of the post.
