The Round of 16 clash between Spain and Morocco would be their second World Cup meeting since the 2018 group stages, where Morocco took the lead before drawing 2-2.
For the match, Spain made five changes to the side that lost to Japan.
Only Rodri retained his place in defence, with Llorente coming in for Azpilicueta at right-back, Laporte replacing Torres at centre-back, and Alba starting ahead of Balde at left-back.
The midfield trio of Gavi, Busquets and Pedri remains the same, with the other two changes coming in the attack. Williams drops to the bench and is replaced by Torres on the right wing, with Asensio leading the attack instead of Morata.
Morocco made only one change in the midfield to the team that beat Canada, with Amallah replacing Sabiri.
First half
In the first half of the game, Spain dominated possession, but Morocco looked the more dangerous on the attack.
Having the first shot of the match, with Hakimi curling a free-kick over the bar, Mazraoui forced Simon into a save before Aguerd had a chance to score from close range.
Spain’s only scoring opportunity of the first half came through Asensio, who broke free of the Moroccan defence before slamming the side of the net from a tight angle.
Second half
In the second half, Morocco appeared to be holding on in the game and Spain looked the more likely to break the deadlock.
The match entered into extra time with few chances of goal from Morocco and Spain.
Extra-time
Morocco had better control of the first half, with Aguerd heading their best chance over the bar from close range. In the second half, it was mostly Spain that controlled the match, with Morocco having just one shot.
Worthy of note is that Morocco are the first African side to go to extra-time in a World Cup knockout game since Algeria v Germany in 2014.
Penalties
The match headed towards penalties after the game ended goalless after exta-time.
Both sides had a chance to win it, with Morocco’s best opportunity coming in the 104th-minute.
The first penalty was scored by Sabiri, as dived it down the right of the goal with Simon diving the other way. This gave Morocco a 1-0 lead.
The second penalty taken by Spanish Substitute, Sarabia was missed, as it hits the right post.
For the third penalty kick by Morocco, Ziyech scores down the middle of the goal, giving Morocco a 2-0 lead.
Then Soler’s strike, for the fourth penalty was impressively saved by Goalkeeper Bounou – he anticipated Soler’s kick, getting low to make the stop.
The 5th penalty, was a huge save from Simon, as he dived to the right, saving Benoun’s weak strike.
There was another save for Morocco, in the 6th penalty, as Bounou went to the right to fist away Busquets’ strike.
A wild jubilation broke loose after Morocco sealed their quarter-final spot for the first time, with a goal from Hakimi. He dived it down the middle of the goal with Simon diving to the right.
NOTE: Morocco are undefeated in their last five games in the World Cup. They will play either Switzerland or Portugal in the quarter-final.
Moroccan strong defence is definitely a force to be reckoned with
