AL RAYYAN, Qatar — Morocco defender Jawad El Yamiq said his team “honored Arab and African football” after stunning Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout in Tuesday’s World Cup round of 16 match that finished goalless after extra time.
With the result, Morocco became the first Arab nation and fourth from Africa to reach the competition’s quarterfinal stage — surpassing the Atlas Lions’ previous best-ever finish in exiting at the round of 16 at Mexico 1986.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
“We honored Arab and African football. Coach [Walid] Regragui gave us the confidence that we needed in this game, a big boost in morale,” El Yamiq told beIN Sports.
“We knew that Spain depended on their ball possession and we played with that in mind. They didn’t impose any danger.”
