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World Cup highlights Morocco stuns Spain in penalty shootout, advances to quarterfinals

Key updates
Morocco eliminates Spain on penalties to reach quarterfinals
Spain and Morocco head to extra time tied 0-0
Spain, Morocco remain tied after scoreless first half
Achraf Hakimi made the final penalty kick for Morocco to seal an upset of Spain in the round of 16 on Tuesday in Doha. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
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Updated December 6, 2022 at 1:06 p.m. EST|Published December 6, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EST
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Morocco upset Spain in the World Cup’s round of 16 Tuesday in Doha, Qatar, reaching the first quarterfinal in the nation’s history with a 3-0 win in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw. Spain, the 2010 World Cup champion, dominated possession but was unable to break through against its disciplined opponent and failed to convert any of its three attempts against Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the shootout. The Atlas Lions are the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals since Ghana in 2010. Continue reading for highlights from the game.

Morocco eliminates Spain on penalties to reach quarterfinals
Spain and Morocco head to extra time tied 0-0
Spain, Morocco remain tied after scoreless first half

Here’s what to know

  • Spain’s nine goals during the group stage were the most of any nation, but it only scored twice after an opening rout of Costa Rica and was frustrated by a stifling Moroccan defense. Morocco has conceded only one goal in four games during the tournament, and it was an own goal.
  • Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and was seeking its seventh appearance in the quarterfinals. Morocco reached the knockout stage for the just the second time. Its previous appearance, in 1986, ended in the round of 16 against West Germany.
  • Morocco will play again Saturday in a quarterfinal against either Portugal or Switzerland. Those European foes meet in Tuesday’s other round-of-16 game. Find the whole knockout round schedule and bracket here.
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Here's what to know:

Spain’s nine goals during the group stage were the most of any nation, but it only scored twice after an opening rout of Costa Rica and was frustrated by a stifling Moroccan defense. Morocco has conceded only one goal in four games during the tournament, and it was an own goal.
Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and was seeking its seventh appearance in the quarterfinals. Morocco reached the knockout stage for the just the second time. Its previous appearance, in 1986, ended in the round of 16 against West Germany.
Morocco will play again Saturday in a quarterfinal against either Portugal or Switzerland. Those European foes meet in Tuesday’s other round-of-16 game. Find the whole knockout round schedule and bracket here.

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World Cup in Qatar

World champions: Argentina has won the World Cup, defeating France in penalty kicks in a thrilling final in Lusail, Qatar, for its first world championship since 1986. Argentina was led by global soccer star Lionel Messi in what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance. France was bidding to become the first repeat champion since Brazil won consecutive trophies in 1958 and 1962.

Today’s WorldView: In the minds of many critics, especially in the West, Qatar’s World Cup will always be a tournament shrouded in controversy. But Qatar’s foreign minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, wants people to take another view.

Perspective: “America is not a men’s soccer laughingstock right now. It’s onto something, and it’s more attuned to what’s working for the rest of the world rather than stubbornly forcing an American sports culture — without the benefit of best-of-the-best talent — into international competition.” Read Jerry Brewer on the U.S. men’s national team’s future.

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