Morocco reaches quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time after defeating Spain

Morocco registered another upset in the 2022 World Cup after defeating Spain in a long-stretched Round of 16 game that went into penalty shootouts.

The teams drew 0-0 in regulation and extra time. The North African team got to the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time after beating Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday, December 6.

Achraf Hakimi, the PSG star who was born in Madrid, converted the deciding penalty for Morocco in the shootout. Abdelhamid Sabiri and Hakim Ziyech who returned to the national team after a dispute with the previous coach, also scored for Morocco.

Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler, and Sergio Busquets missed their penalties for Spain, with Sarabia hitting the post and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stopping the other two.

Morocco will now face Portugal in the quarterfinal stage of the competition. Prior to the Round of 16 match against Spain, Morocco defeated Belgium and Canada, but drew with Croatia.