- Morocco becomes the fourth African nation to qualify for the quarter final of a World Cup after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.
- Morocco becomes the first North African nation to qualify for the quarter finals of a World Cup.
- Walid Regragui becomes the first African coach to lead an African nation to the quarter finals of a World Cup.
- Morocco are now five World Cup games without defeat (3 wins, 2 draws) – the first by an African nation since Cameroon from 1982 to 1990.
- Morocco have now conceded just one goal in four World Cup games.
- The 2010 champions have now gone three World Cups without qualifying for the quarter finals.
African nations that have made it to the World Cup quarter finals.
The Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made two saves in the penalty shootout as Morocco eliminated Spain to reach their first World Cup quarterfinals – after a goalless draw at the Education City Stadium.
Paris Saint Germain right back Achraf Hakimi scored the winning penalty in the shootout as Morocco qualifies for the quarter-finals – for the first time in the country’s history.
The Moroccan fans stun the Education City to chair the Atlas lions to Victory as they were the last man standing of the African teams in the Competition.
The Spaniards had most of the possession as they created most of the chances in the early stages of the game – but the Moroccan defence led by Saiss and Hakimi made life difficult for Louis Enrique and his charges.
The European nation came close to scoring after Dani Olmo struck a narrowed drive from the angle which the Moroccan keeper saved.
Morocco’s counter-attacking football almost paid of when Nayef Aguerd’s unmarked header went over the crossbar, while Morocco’s only shot on target came via Nousair Mazraoui’s long-range effort but was saved by Unai Simon.
Both sides couldn’t capitalise on their chances as the game went into Extra time – with Morocco having their best chance of the game through Walid Cheddira but the shot was saved by the Spanish keeper.
The Spaniards continue to dominate possession as they made 1019 passes but could manage just one shot on target as Shootout was the final judge of the game.
The Moroccan goalkeeper looked to be the man on the show as he saved the penalties of Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets, while Sarabia struck the post.
PSG’s Hakimi stepped up to score the winning penalty that sent Morocco to the quarter-finals.
Morocco will play either Portugal or Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
