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Morocco knock Spain out of World Cup on penalties

Morocco knock Spain out of World Cup on penalties
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Achraf Hakimi took the last penalty kick, which sent Spain packing, in a match that ended 3-0 in a shootout on Tuesday night.

Spain coach Luis Enrique said his team prepared for the penalties before the game. However, Carlos Soler, Pablo Sarabia, and Sergio Busquets missed penalties, and Hakimi ended their hopes by scoring a panenka goal.

Morocco will face Portugal in the quarterfinals, a match that many are looking forward to after Walid Regragui’s side made history by qualifying for the round of eight.

Luis Enriques’ side hoped to repeat their 2010 World Cup success after qualifying for the Euro 2020 semifinals, where they also lost on penalties to Italy.

Last night’s game was entertaining, with Spain leading in possession and Morocco creating a few good chances.

After the shocking defeat by Japan, Enrique decided to bench Spain’s top scorer Alvaro Morata for Marco Asensio and also trialled Marcos Llorente.

Morocco is the last African country remaining at the 2022 World Cup, and all Africans are behind them as they prepare to face Portugal.

Sports Evolve

Written by Sports Evolve

Assistant coach Regis Bogaert told a news conference that Cisse had not been able to take training on Friday and may not be involved in Saturday's final session. "Yesterday (Friday) he let us take the training, using his instructions and the content he had decided," said Bogaert, who stood in for Cisse at the press conference in Doha. "This afternoon (Saturday) we hope he will be on the field, but we are sure that tomorrow night at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) it is him who will lead the team", he added. Bogaert did not specify Cisse's illness, saying only that he had "a little fever, that's why we are vigilant". Senegal reached the last 16 after beating Ecuador in their final Group A match, securing second spot behind the Netherlands. Catch the 2022 FIFA World Cup on SuperSport in 13 languages. Press "Options" on your remote for languages available in your region. With Morocco also progressing from the group stage, Bogaert said it was clear that Africa was now making its presence felt on the global stage, which was adding to his team's confidence. "I think it is a trend we will see more and more of," he said. "In 2018 we heard a lot of criticism because there was no African team in the last 16, now we have two, and two others were very close," he said. "We have seen Cameroon can beat Brazil, Tunisia can beat France and in our minds we tell ourselves Senegal will beat England," he said. "Our team is developing, becoming mature. We are capable of beating anyone and we need to be convinced of that," he added. Bogaert said that he and the coaching staff had spoken with Senegal players who play for English clubs to gleen some insight into Gareth Southgate's players. "We have talked with some of those players, some are the more senior players as well," he said. "It is important to have those talks."

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