Morocco goalkeeper Yassin Bounou produces a goalkeeping masterpiece in the penalty shootout as Morocco win 3-0 versus Spain.
The 2010 World Cup champions, Spain, faced Morocco at the Education City Stadium as firm favorites at the start of their Round of 16 fixture. Fast forward, the transition in generations of football is evident as despite dominating the game, Spain came short against Morocco, bowing out from a penalty shootout.
34-year-old Sergio Busquets missed Spain’s final penalty, signaling an end to Spain’s golden generation. The FC Barcelona midfielder was slow to the run-up and Yassin Bounou ‘Bono’ was quick to parry.
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PSG wingback Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive penalty as Morocco earned a famous victory over Spain. Calmy chipped the ball as the goalkeeper appeared wrong-footed.
Spain’s first penalty was taken by PSG midfielder Pablo Sarabia. Well taken, but off the post. The goalkeeper had it covered anyway. Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech scored his penalty before PSG midfielder Carlos Soler missed Spain’s second penalty- first save by Bono.
The Morocco goalkeeper was at it again. This time, saving Busquet’s penalty to send the Atlas Lions into the Quarter Finals.
The first 45 minutes were rather dull as Spain controlled the game with 70% possession, but very few chances. A three-minute spell seemed like it would lead to a goal for Spain but Gavi hit the crossbar after a mistake by Morocco’s defense playing out from the back. Marco Asensio soon followed with a side-netting attempt on goal.
Alvaro Morata and Carlos Soler came on as substitutes in the 60th minute as Spain were hoping to switch things around. The second half was playing out into a draw.
Luis Enrique’s side could have won it in the final minutes with Pablo Sarabia’s shot shaving the post and going wide.
The win means that Morocco will face either Portugal or Switzerland in the Quarter Finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
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