Spain He was out of the Qatar 2022 World Cup after losing in the penalty shootout against Morocco. And, as expected, users of social networks did not forgive “the fury” and dedicated many memes to them.
Spain it crashed against Morocco and their goalkeeper Yassine Bounou ‘Bono’ and was eliminated in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar 2022. This, after falling in a penalty shootout (3-0 after a 0-0 draw), this Tuesday in Doha.
It will be the first quarterfinal for the North Africans in a World Cup. They will face the winner of Portugal-Switzerland on Saturday, which closes the round of 16 this Tuesday.
Bono was the hero of the night by saving two maximum penalties, against Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets. While Pablo Sarabia sent the stick. On the Moroccan side, only Badr Benoun missed and Achraf Hakimi, born in Madrid, scored the final shot so that the ‘Lions of the Atlas’ continue to roar in Qatar.
Spain was painting as a favorite to win the cup
Spain began the World Cup in a whirlwind, with a 7-0 win over Costa Rica, but it was a mere mirage in the desert. The draw against Germany (1-1) and above all the 2-1 defeat against Japan lowered the euphoria, avoided the leadership of the group and sent this meeting with Morocco, which has ended up being a death trap.
Since the edition of the world title in South Africa-2010 Spain has not managed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Four years ago in Russia they lost to the hosts also in the round of 16 and again in the penalty shootout. For Morocco, qualifying for the quarterfinals is already an unprecedented achievement. Until now, his only presence in the round of 16 of the World Cup had been his 1-0 defeat against Federal Germany in Mexico-1986.
Spain is over pic.twitter.com/eNVgBQ4gpi
— ?Cainn~ ?✈️? (@eCainn_) December 6, 2022
It already equals the best performance by an African team in the tournament, reaching the round reached by Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010, which they now aspire to beat if they reach the semifinals. It will also be the only team in the quarterfinals that is neither European nor South American.
A Spain without gunpowder
The first relevant chance of the game was for the Moroccans, with a free kick shot that Hakimi sent slightly over the crossbar in the 12th minute.
Spain’s players on penalties pic.twitter.com/6csHumJWM5
— Adrian Galindo (@galiindo13) December 6, 2022
It was difficult for Spain to arrive. On minute 25, Gavi hit the crossbar and on the subsequent rebound Ferran Torres missed a clear chance, even though the linesman had his flag raised. However, the next occasion for the Spaniards was valid, at minute 28, when Marco Asensio, with little angle, shot into the side of the net.
But the awakening of the ‘Red’ dressed on this occasion in light blue was very temporary. Morocco had two good opportunities to have gone ahead to the changing rooms. First with a shot from Noussair Mazraoui (34) from the front that Unai Simón saved in two stages and with a header from Nayef Aguerd (41) that went high. In minute 55 he sought to surprise ‘Bono’ with a free kick taken short on the side, from Asensio to Dani Olmo (55), who sent the Moroccan goalkeeper from Sevilla into the gloves.
Álvaro Morata, author of three goals before this game, started as a substitute. But he entered the game at minute 63. Aguerd cut off a cross with the intention of Nico Williams in time, who was looking to connect with Olmo (79), and at minute 81 Morata sent a death pass that went through the Moroccan small area, without finding a finisher.
Luis Enrique arriving in Spain without the cup but with the possession record pic.twitter.com/7Huni8e2C7
— Lloris (@LLorismo) December 6, 2022
Bye…
In the discount, Morata sent a high header and Dani Olmo free-kicked a ball in the heart of the area with great danger and Bono blocked. The game went to extra time and Spain and Morata continued to bring danger to Bono’s domain. Although the clearest chance in the first part of the extension came from Morocco with a shot in the area by Walid Cheddira (103) that Unai Simón saved, repelling with his right foot.
Spain for home pic.twitter.com/PZKEgNsVQo
— ً (@sugarcriminal) December 6, 2022
From then on the tension and the fear of losing gripped both, although Pablo Sarabia, at the last moment of extra time, managed to send a cross-kick to the post. Bono decided in the penalty shootout and the Moroccan party broke out at Education City Stadium. Sergio Busquets, who equaled Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos with 17 matches for the record number of World Cup matches for a Spanish player, will no longer be able to continue scoring in Qatar.
