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Day 17: Morocco beats Spain on penalties to reach World Cup quarter finals
Day 17: Morocco beats Spain on penalties to reach World Cup quarter finals
The Arab world will be cheering on underdogs Morocco as they take on 2010 World Cup winners Spain on Tuesday.
4 min read
Morocco face 7th ranked
Morocco faces an uphill battle in their Last 16 game against Spain on Tuesday afternoon, which will decide which team makes it through to the next round
The Atlas Lions, ranked 24th in the world, go into the game as underdogs against 7th-ranked Spain, but have shown impressive form in the World Cup so far including wins against Belgium and Canada and a draw against Croatia, who fixed their place in the quater-finals on Monday.
Spain thrashed Costa Rica in their first game in the tournament before struggling through the group stages with a 1-1 draw with Germany and a loss to Japan.
Morocco will be hoping to continue the momentum and steamroll past Spain, in another giant killing match that has marked this World Cup so far.
9:27 PM
5:54 PM
MOROCCO BEAT SPAIN ON PENALTIES!
Unbelievable scenes as Moroccan goalkeeper Bono pulls unbelievable heroics out of the bag to save every single Spanish penalty.
More details to follow.
5:36 PM
Extra time is over and we're heading for our second penalty shootout.
It's been a thoroughly entertaining 0-0.
The next few minutes won't be fun for either set of fans though. We'll bring you the result as soon as it's in.
4:57 PM
Full time: Morocco 0-0 Spain
This one is going the distance at al-Rayyan stadium, as neither team have been able to break the deadlock.
Can the Moroccan fans lift their team after such an impressive defensive display, and get them up the other end of the pitch?
More to follow. Edge of the seat stuff.
4:28 PM
So far this half, Spain have half 85% of the possession - but very few sights on goal. The Moroccan defensive strategy has been working very efficiently.
72 minutes in and the game is becoming increasingly tense.
3:48 PM
Half time: Morocco 0-0 Spain
It's all square still in the penultimate match of the last-16. Spain have dominated possession but Morocco have carved out the most clear-cut chances and have stuck to their game plan.
The Moroccan defence has been sitting pretty deep, and looking to strike fast on the break - but they risk allowing Spain to completely control the ball. The next half should be a really great contest.
Morocco have been quick on the break and mostly strangled Spain's attacks [Getty images]
3:15 PM
Morocco are growing into the early stages of this game, showing pace on the counter and linking together some sharp passing.
Closest chances comes from a Hakimi free kick which just curls over.
3:03 PM
We're under way in al Rayyan and whenever the Spanish team touches the ball the stadium is a sea of whistles and boos.
Some stiff challenges flying in already - but Spain holding possession well in these early stages.
Morocco need to get on the ball.
2:53 PM
Both teams are in the tunnel, waiting to run out onto the pitch - into the deafening roar of Moroccan support.
Just over five minutes to go, the temperature is rising in al-Rayyan.
2:16 PM
Fans of the Atlas Lions have come out in force for today's match at the Education City Stadium in al-Rayyan - just to the west of Doha.
Moroccan supporters are expected to outnumber Spanish fans in the stadium today [Getty]
2:12 PM
Morocco have firmed up their midfield cohort for today's match, bringing in Selim Amallah to replace forward Abdelhamid Sabiri.
Spain coach Luis Enrique made a surprise change in his team to face Morocco in just 45 minutes, starting midfielder Marcos Llorente at right back in place of the injured Cezar Azpilicueta.
That was the only switch from Spain's normal first-choice starting 11, the one Luis Enrique used in the 7-0 win over Costa Rica in their opening group match in Qatar.
12:29 PM
Despite Spain going into the game as favourites, they face a challenge with North African side Morocco who have their fair share of talent in the side.
Read this preview of the game which kicks off at 3pm London time and 6pm local Doha time.
12:25 PM
Christiano Ronaldo is playing in probably his last World Cup and will be hoping to guide Portugal to the finals after some challenging months in domestic football.
The Portuguese forward has been lined up with a move to Saudi club Al-Nassr after an acrimonious end to his career at Manchester United.
Ronaldo might wait to sign on the dotted line for the Riyadh club until after the World Cup concludes hoping that a European club make take interest in the 37-year-old and give him the opportunity to ratchet up more goals in the Champions League.
3:48 PM
Half time: Morocco 0-0 Spain
It's all square still in the penultimate match of the last-16. Spain have dominated possession but Morocco have carved out the most clear-cut chances and have stuck to their game plan.
The Moroccan defence has been sitting pretty deep, and looking to strike fast on the break - but they risk allowing Spain to completely control the ball. The next half should be a really great contest.
Morocco have been quick on the break and mostly strangled Spain's attacks [Getty images]
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