By Eniola Olatunji
… Portugal meet Morocco for quarterfinal
The Atlas Lions of Morocco roared like a wounded Lion when the La Roya of Spain stamped their tail at the Qatar world cup and consumed the world cup hopefuls on penalty kicks bringing a surprise victory to Africa. Morocco won 3-0 on penalties. Moroccan goalkeeper, Bono is the hero.
Both teams played goalless after extra time despite Spain virtually camping inside the penalty box of Morocco hunting for goals that were steadfastly blocked by the North Africans who obviously waited for penalty shootouts from the opening whistle for they hardly went for goals though Morocco got 3 shots on target and Spain 2. Spain had 6 shots off target.
The pressure was much on Morocco that conceded 8 corner kicks playing none when Spain controlled the game with 75% to 25% ball possession.
Then came the penalty shoot outs. Spain lost all the three kicks they took through Pablo Sarabia; Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets. Morocco scored the first two kicks through Abdelhamid Sabiri; Hakim Ziyech and lost the third kick through Badr Benoume before Achraf Hakimi’s scored kick commanded the popping of wine.
It was time to mourn in Spain as they now lost in the world cup at the same level back to back with a probability that the La Liga people are now jinxed. There was a deafening noise of victory across Africa’s major city including the Nigerian capital city of Abuja where they chose to celebrate African victory with Isi-Ewu (Goat head) pepper soup breaking no joints attendance rules in the city after 6pm.
The Moroccans became specialists at frustration tactics; the Ref 44 year old Fernando Rapallini had to see off every player change to save time.
There were three matches between both countries which Spain won two with a draw. In the world cup qualifier on 12th November 1961 Spain won 1-0 and 23rd November 1961 Spain won 3-2 also in the world cup qualifier but on 25th June 2018 at the world cup they played 2-2.
Morocco played goalless with Croatia; defeated Belgium 2-0; and also defeated Canada 2-1 to be in the round of 16 winning the group.
Spain thrashed Costa Rica in the highest goals so far 7-0 in a single match; drew 1-1 with the German Machine and lost to Japan 1-2 to be second in their group after Japan.
Spain ranked 7th in the world were 2010 title holders who were kicked out at the quarterfinal stages four times in 1934, 1986, 1994 and 2000. They were sent out at the round of 16 at the last games in Russia.
Morocco ranked 22 had best results as round of 16 twice in Mexico 1986 this present competition. In 1986 they won their group that had Portugal, England and Poland. Lothar Matthaus scored the only goal for Germany that sent Morocco out of the round of 16 in 1986. Morocco once defeated Scotland 3-0 on 23rd June 1998 but that same month and year precisely 16th June and in France Brazil beat Morocco 3-0.
With the Moroccan victory, the Atlas Lions now meet Portugal
for the Quarter finals to be played on Saturday 10th December at 6pm.
Other Quarterfinal matches are Friday 9th December at 6pm Croatia versus Brazil; same day at 10pm it will be Netherlands versus Argentina while the Three Lions of England will face defending Champions, Les Bleu of France at 10pm on Saturday 10th December.
There will be off days on Wednesday and Thursday for players and officials to rest. As a matter of competition rules, any team that loses at the knockout stages of round of 16 and quarter finals has 48 hours after loss to leave the host country as recognition and care for the losing teams ceases.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
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