By Matthew Tabe
African nation, Morocco, has qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World cup for the first time ever, after beating Spain on penalties yesterday, December 6.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco become only the fourth African team to reach that stage after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
After a goalless 120 minutes of football, with both teams matching each other in intensity and defense, it was penalties to the rescue where Spain lost three kicks while Morroco won three and lost one.
Achraf Hakimi, the Spain-born Morocco right-back, kicked the Spaniards out–a country he could have played for–with a cheeky Panenka penalty kick.
Spain coach, Luis Enrique had claimed his players prepared by taking 1,000 penalties as homework but Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all missed from the spot.
Morocco will face either Portugal in what is new territory for them, with their previous best being a last-16 exit in 1986.