Bono, “Acrobat” Morocco’s hero. Spain didn’t find what they were looking for.
Yassine Bono or Bounou was Morocco’s hero coming up with three big saves as Morocco forced Spain to penalties, thus keeping the faint hope alive of the World Cup not going to Europe or to South America. Morocco becomes the first African country progressing to the quarterfinals of a World Cup since Ghana in the 2010 World Cup and the first to progress in a penalty shootout.
Morocco were clear underdogs when it came to taking on an opponent FIFA ranked 7th, the 2010 World Cup champions boasting the a new generation of talents in Gavi, Pedri and Ferran Torres, bolstered by veterans like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, a perfect blend and balance on attack and defence.
As the match unfolded, a feeling of deja vu permeated. We had seen this before in the last group match between Spain and South Korea. The mind boggling ineffectiveness of the Spanish attack as they passed the ball to death. Pass, pass, pass, pass, repeat again, without any change in pace or tactics. Sterile domination. Utterly predictable. No plan B. Against a well drilled, combative Moroccan defence marshaled by the superb Sofyan Amrabat, the Spanish attack struggled to find a cutting edge. The addition of Nico Williams and Ansu Fati added some urgency and speed on the flanks but did nothing to alter the stalemate.
As was keeping with the match, Spain decided to pass the ball into goal during the penalties and Bounou abbreviated to the more stylish Bono on his jersey had a field day. Spain didn’t find what they were looking for.Achraf Hakimi smashed the ball past Unai Simon for the winner.