FIFA World Cup 2022: Morocco coach Walid Regragui’s team beat Spain 3-0 on penalties to make it to the quarter-finals.
FIFA WC 2022: They didn’t pose any threat, says Morocco coach after defeating Spain | Credit: AP
By India Today Web DeskMorocco coach Walid Regragui said his team was aware of Spain’s game-plan to put pressure on the opposition through ball possession. On Tuesday, 6 December, Morocco beat Spain 3–0 on penalties in a thrilling Round of 16 match at the Education Stadium.
It also marked the first time that Morocco reached the last eight in FIFA World Cup history. Abdelhamid Sabiri, Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi scored in the penalty shootout to take Morocco past the finish line.
Badr Benoun missed out for Morocco, but it didn’t make much difference. Yacine Bouno also starred for Morocco as he made three saves in the shootout from Sergio Busquets, Carlos Soler and Pablo Sarabia.
“We fought and made the Moroccan people happy, we made history and Morocco deserved it, the Moroccan people united us on the pitch,” Regargui told BeIN Sports.
“We respected Arab and African football, coach Regaragui gave us the confidence we needed to raise the morale in this game,” he said.
“We knew that Spain depended on their possession and we played with that in mind. They didn’t pose any threat,” Regargui said.
Morocco will now face either Switzerland or Portugal in the quarter-finals. Prior to this, Morocco advanced to only their second World Cup quarter-finals since their first appearance back in 1986. They are also the only African and Arab team to survive the multi-country mega event in Qatar.