Morocco secured a place in the FIFA World Cup (WC) quarter-finals for the first time after winning a dramatic penalty shootout 3-0 against Spain, who were sensationally dumped out in the last 16 once again.
In fact, the only meaningful opportunity of the opening 25 minutes came when Achraf Hakimi’s free kick sailed harmlessly over the bar.
However, Walid Regragui’s side were made to sweat when two chances in quick succession fell to Gavi and Dani Olmo following some slack defending, but their blushes were spared by the assistant referee’s flag.
Spain attempted just one shot in the opening 45 minutes, which was their fewest in a first half of a WC game this century.
And they continued struggling in the final third after the break, as Olmo’s swerving set piece was comfortably pushed to safety by Bono.
Olmo had a chance to seal victory at the death, but Bono once again thwarted him, parrying away his free kick to ensure another 30 minutes of action at Education City Stadium.
Sofyan Amrabat slipped Walid Cheddira through on goal in a rare opening for Regragui’s side after the restart, only to see himself intercepted by Aymeric Laporte, while Pablo Sarabia’s shot clipped the post right at the death, and penalties beckoned.
