Last Updated on 12/07/2022 by てんしょく飯
Morocco 0 (PK 3-0) 0 Spain (December 6, Education City Stadium)
Morocco (No. 1 in Group F) defeated Spain (No. 2 in Group E) in a penalty shootout to advance to the Round of 8.
The match went to a penalty shootout after extra time was not enough to decide the match. Morocco, the first team to take the lead, had two consecutive successes, the third failed, and then the fourth made the decisive goal. Morocco, which had been the eye of the storm in the first round of the tournament, including a gold-medal win over Belgium in the first round, continued its momentum into the tournament. This was the fourth time in 12 years that an African team has reached the top eight since Ghana in South Africa in 2010.
Spain’s attack was dominated by the midfield trio of Busquets, Gabi, and Pedri, who also started in the third round match against Japan, but they were unable to find a “net” in Morocco. However, Morocco’s “netting” was too much for Asensio, who was used as a center midfielder, to get on the end of the passing game. The first half ended 0-0 to the Moroccans, who were cheered by the home crowd.
Midway through the second half, Morocco introduced Morata, who had scored the first goal in three straight games against Japan. Morocco pushed forward more, but the number of shooting chances remained low. Four days had passed since the second half of the match, in which Japan lost by two goals in the second half alone and suffered a comeback defeat, but although they were able to pass the ball around, their attack continued to lack ideas and momentum, and the second half went into extra time 0-0.
Morocco, who had not made any major changes to their lineup from the first round league and had been running from the beginning of the match, were tired, but they kept their nerve even in extra time, and the game went to a penalty shootout. The team then went on to the penalty shootout, paving the way to the top eight.
The World Cup in Qatar did not go smoothly. Former Japan coach Halil Hodzic took over as coach in 2019. While the team made a great start, winning six consecutive African second-round qualifiers, the rift between the team and its main players widened, and it was the coach who turned the public against the team. In June of this year, supporters demanded his dismissal, and he was removed from his post in September, despite qualifying for the tournament. After that, former national team player Reglagi took over as coach. He was replaced by former national team player Reghlaghi, who took over as coach just three months later.
Morocco was making its first appearance in six tournaments since France in 1998. They started their first match with a 0-0 draw against Croatia, which Japan had come up short on penalties after extra time. Morocco then took its first World Cup win in 24 years from FIFA-ranked Belgium, the second-ranked country. With momentum on their side, they also beat Canada, and defied pre-war expectations to finish first in the F group. The team that awaited them was Spain, who had lost the match against Japan and finished in second place in Group E.
Even so, the team’s ability to finish first, ahead of Belgium and Croatia, was real. The compact defensive line kept Spain’s passing in check and even took the game into overtime. In the stands, the Moroccan supporters, almost like a home crowd, gave their support. Powerful counters gradually drove the World Cup winners into a corner and did damage, and the game was worthy of a top eight finish.
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