- Bono saved two penalties while one hit the bar
- Achraf Hakimi scored the winning penalty for Morocco
- Morocco are in the quarters for the first time ever
Yassine ‘Bono’ Bonou, named goalkeeper of the year in the Spanish La Liga last season with his performances for Sevilla was the Moroccan hero as the Atlas Lions beat Spain 3-0 on post-match penalties to make their first ever quarter final at the FIFA World Cup.
Bono saved two penalties while one hit the bar as the Moroccans became only the fourth African country to ever make the last eight at a World Cup.
And it was another player with Spanish connections, Achraf Hakimi, who scored the winning penalty. Hakimi was born in Madrid to Moroccan parents and he scored Morocco’s fourth kick to send them in the last eight.
Under immense pressure, Hakimi who plays his club football in France with Paris Saint Germain and has previously featured for Real Madrid clipped a panenka straight through the middle to send the Education City Stadium crazy.
The game had to be decided from spot kicks after a 0-0 regulation time in which Spain dominated possession, but Morocco put up a masterclass in defensive organization.
On penalties, Spain had a horrendous start when Pablo Sarabia sent his kick against the upright with Bono also having his goal well covered. Morocco had started off with Abdelhamid Sabiri scoring.
Bono makes a beautiful save
Moroccan goalkeeper Bono makes a flying save on penalties. PHOTO/FIFA
Hoping they would bounce back with the second kick, Bono made a full stretched save to deny Carlos Soler after Hakim Ziyech scored Morocco’s second with a thunderous shot straight down the middle.
La Roja were handed some hope when Badr Benoun saw his kick saved by the Spanish keeper and now, onus was on experienced Sergio Busquets to save the day. But, the Barcelona midfielder saw his penalty well saved by Bono who kept his side with a 2-0 lead after three kicks.
Hakimi then stepped up to take Morocco’s fourth and important kick. The PSG wingback made no mistake, his cheeky Panenka flying down the middle.
Morocco had set up a wonderful defensive strategy, knowing only too well that playing an open game would be detrimental against a swift passing Spanish side.
Spain had the first opportunity after 26 minutes when Asensio was sent through with a chipped ball behind the defense. However, his shot hit the side netting.
Morocco’s two shots at goal
Achraf Hakimi scores with a panenka. PHOTO/FIFA
Even with minimal possession, Morocco still managed to efforts at goal in the opening 45. Noussair Mazraoui found space to shoot from distance but his effort was saved by the keeper. In the 34th minute, Nayef Aguerd had a golden chance when a cross from Soufiane Boufal clipped a cross from the left, but the defender’s header went inches wide.
In the second half, Spain continued pressing to find a goal and Bono was forced to fist away the ball in the 54th minute when Dani Olmo struck a curling shot from a freekick.
They continued pressing with Morocco putting up a well structured defensive shield, with defensive midfielder Soufiane Amrabat particularly being key in their shape.
At the stroke of 90 minutes they almost had a swipe of luck when Olmo curled in a rolling freekick into the box evading everyone, but the keeper managed to dive and push away.
With no winner in 90 minutes and the additional 30, the game went to penalties.
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