With a stunning victory over Spain on penalties, Morocco advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time ever.
Morocco won the second tournament shootout after a thrilling but scoreless 90 minutes when Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler, and Sergio Busquets all missed their 12-yard attempts.
A 25-yard free kick by Achraf Hakimi gave Morocco the first opportunity of the first half, and Marco Asensio, who had made a great run to beat the offside trap, smashed a shot into the side netting.
Unai Simón nearly caused a panic attack in the final seconds of regulation by taking too long in his area, but he was able to keep Morocco from scoring as the game entered extra time. The second half was devoid of goalmouth action, with La Roja controlling possession but doing little with it.
The underdogs had a rare opportunity to break the score in the final seconds of extra time, but Walid Cheddira seized the opportunity and shot straight at Simón.
Spain was inches away from shattering the hearts of the Moroccans in the final seconds of extra time, but substitute Pablo Sarabia’s shot hit the post.
Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler, and Sergio Busquets all missed their 12-yard attempts in the shootout, and they were eliminated from the international competition for the third time in a row. Achraf Hakimi provided the game-winning Panenka for a 3-0 victory.
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