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World Cup 2022: Spain is subject to Morocco: 77 percent possession of the ball – and three penalties awarded

2022-12-06T19:09:20.146Z


Spain were the dominant team in the World Cup Round of 16 but failed to score. The superstars lost their nerve in the penalty shootout – Morocco had two match winners.


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Disappointed Spaniards: a lot of possession, but no victory

Photo:

BERNADETT SZABO / REUTERS

Shodown in Al-Rayyan:

One look, a short run-up, a very loose chip in the middle of the goal, and then the sensation was complete.

Achraf Hakimi decided the penalty shoot-out in the round of 16 between Morocco and Spain in favor of the Africans.

Earlier, Spain had missed their first three attempts, Pablo Sarabia hit the post, then Morocco keeper Bono saved Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets.

Hakimi converted the match point.

And made for an outstanding background noise in the stadium, the Moroccan fans were clearly in the majority.

The result:

Morocco beat Spain on penalties after going 120 minutes without a goal.

Spain had 77 percent possession but the chances were evenly distributed.

The Moroccans are in a World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

There it is on Saturday (4 p.m.) against Portugal or Switzerland.

Here is the match report.

Only Pelé was younger:

18 years and 123 days old – that is the exact age of young Spanish star Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, known as Gavi, who started against Morocco and was the youngest player in a World Cup knockout round. round game for 64 years.

In 1958, at the age of 17 years and 249 days, the Brazilian Pelé, who is currently seriously ill in hospital, played in the World Cup final.

Pelé then scored twice in the 5-2 win over Sweden.

Gavi has three goals in 17 international appearances, including one in the World Cup opener against Costa Rica.

Political history:

Spain controlled large parts of Morocco as a colonial power until 1956 and still has two enclaves on the African continent: Ceuta and Melilla, both places appear again and again in the media because migrants there often try to cross the border fences to EU to reach area.

There have been diplomatic tensions in the past, but relations have recently improved.

The Moroccan consulate had urged fans to "show sportsmanship regardless of the result" and to avoid anything that could lead to incidents with Spanish fans.

Chaos in front of the stadium:

The joy at home that the Moroccans reached the World Cup round of 16 was huge.

Many fans traveled to Qatar without having booked tickets beforehand.

Also, many Moroccans who were already in the country did not have tickets.

The Reuters news agency reports that at the official ticket center more than 1,000 fans tried to get tickets, there was a scuffle and the riot police intervened.

Apparently there were also wild scenes in front of the stadium, as a reporter from the English newspaper Daily Mail reported.

First half:

top favorite against outsiders?

Sure, Spain controlled the game, but Morocco defended well and kept creating chances.

Although Morocco keeper Bono initially had to deflect a shot from Gavi onto the crossbar, the goal would not have counted because Ferran Torres, who provided the assist, was offside (25').

And Marco Asensio shot to the side netting shortly afterwards (27th).

After that it was the Africans' turn: Noussair Mazraoui tested keeper Unai Simón from 20 meters out, Nayef Aguerd headed wide and then Aymeric Laporte had to clear Youssef En-Nesyri (both in the 43rd).

Second half:

Spain lined up around the Moroccan penalty area in the style of a handball team, the North Africans defended skillfully – everything as usual.

But the advances of the Moroccans were missing, only in the 85th minute there was a promising attack, which fizzled out.

At the other end, Álvaro Morata's header went way, way over the goal in added time and Bono saved a shot from Dani Olmo.

Spain doesn't get enough:

In recent history, when Spain played in a knockout game at the World Cup or Euro, there was no decision in regular time.

They lost on penalties to Russia in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup.

At Euro 2020, Spain beat Croatia in extra time in the round of 16, beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals and then lost the semifinals to Italy, again on penalties.

Extra time:

Suddenly they still existed, the match balls for Morocco.

At first, Abdelhamid Sabiri ran alone towards goal, but was interrupted by Laporte at the last moment.

However, a goal would not have been given due to an offside position (95th).

Then Walid Cheddira appeared free in front of Spain keeper Simón, who saved the shot with his right leg (104').

Pablo Sarabia hit the post for Spain in the 120th minute.

Short away game:

Nico Williams came on in the 75th minute and livened up the Spaniards' attacking play.

He evaded his opponent a few times, hit crosses, lurked - unsuccessfully - in front of the goal.

In the 119th minute, however, the attacker went out again and was replaced by Sarabia - to score the first penalty for the Spaniards.

His attempt failed - and led to the end of the 2010 world champion.

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2022-12-06

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