'Morocco squad know there's a single cause that's greater than them'
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Morocco's win over Spain "wasn't a huge shock" despite the side "definitely being underdogs" ahead of yesterday's game, according to BBC football journalist Maher Mezahi.
"The fact that they're so strong defensively I think is what gives them the best chance to go far in this tournament," he tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Asked whether it's a divisive issue that much of the Morocco squad, 14 of the 26 players, has been born outside the country, Mezahi says: "Not at all."
"When I spoke to the national team technical director back in 2018, he said each player has their own cultural baggage and when you mix those spices and those flavours together, it's Morocco that wins," he says.
"So it's very much a melting pot situation. At times it can be a little bit weird because instructions that you know training at the training ground will have to be given in two or three languages.
"But overall, I think it actually makes them stronger because they understand that there's a singular cause that's greater than all of them that they all have to fight for. They understand that they have to come together and unite for Morocco."
'There are so many things we do not have'
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live
At least there are 800,000 people
in Spain are celebrating - that's the amount of Moroccans who live there.
People were not excited about this Spain team for many reasons. They don’t back the manager who is very divisive and does things that not everybody understands.
We have fallen in the last 16 every time in the last 12 years and are not competing well. That’s where we have to get the debate going in Spain. Take Portugal. They looked strong, fast and they had a lot of movement and variety in
way they play. They have centre-forwards. That is a series of things we have decided not to have.
We don’t have a striker. We don’t shoot from outside the box. We are not strong. We are not fast. We don’t pass it quickly. The accumulation of reasons is so
big that we realise it’s not by chance.
Do we have to look at other ways? We need more alternatives when things don’t go our way.
Post update
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
If you missed the shootout, then feast your eyes on this...
Post update
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
We're England fans - we know what a bad penalty looks like.
But wow, those Spain spotkicks were criminal.
They're now the worst nation in World Cup history for penalties with four defeats in shootouts.
Should have read Emlyn Begley's how to take a penalty piece over here.
Luis Enrique wanted to give Spain's supporters a 'show' at Qatar 2022 - but in the end his side were sent home with accusations of being 'boring' ringing in their ears.
Despite dominating possession in their second-round match against Morocco on Tuesday, Spain were knocked out of the World Cup on penalties as the African side booked a historic quarter-final against Portugal.
It is now 10 years since Spain won their last major trophy, when they won back-to-back Euros and a World Cup in four years, and they have not progressed past the last 16 since they won the World Cup in 2010.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said Spain were "miles away" from competing with the top nations, but is it the end for manager Luis Enrique and his 'passing experiment'?
Spain manager Luis Enrique has apologised to the fans for his side's lacklustre performance against Morocco last night, where they recorded just one shot on target across the 120 minutes of this match.
Spain also became the first nation in World Cup history to lose four penalty shootouts.
Speaking on Twitter, he said: "It could not be, we have tried but it has not been enough.
"We're sorry we didn't give you joy... that's football and life... get up."
Online sports newspaper AS.com leads with an image of Luis Enrique, writing that Spain's football federation has doubts over him continuing as managerImage caption: Online sports newspaper AS.com leads with an image of Luis Enrique, writing that Spain's football federation has doubts over him continuing as manager
'No ideas, no goal': Spanish media react to World Cup knockout
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
ABCCopyright: ABC
'No claw, no ideas, no goal' is the headline from ABC newspaper todayImage caption: 'No claw, no ideas, no goal' is the headline from ABC newspaper today
SportCopyright: Sport
“It was another cruel goodbye to Spain in a World Cup,” says Sport newspaper - a sentiment echoed by captain Sergio Busquets, who says: “We went out in the most cruel way"Image caption: “It was another cruel goodbye to Spain in a World Cup,” says Sport newspaper - a sentiment echoed by captain Sergio Busquets, who says: “We went out in the most cruel way"
Post update
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
We should probably talk about Spain.
Get Involved - breakthrough World Cup performances
#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only) or via What's App on 03301231826
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
SMS Message: A 20 year old Thomas Muller at the 2010 World Cup as the top joint scorer (5) and winning Young Player of the tournament. from Tom
A 20 year old Thomas Muller at the 2010 World Cup as the top joint scorer (5) and winning Young Player of the tournament.
Why is Morocco abbreviated to MAR?
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Whereas most countries at this World Cup have had a clear three-letter abbreviation, Morocco's shortening to MAR has had people Googling to find out why (other search engines are available).
The short answer is because the French name for Morocco is Maroc so that's why it's given MAR as its official sporting code.
The longer answer is steeped in colonialism and France's historical influence in Morocco dating back to the early 1800s, even though Morocco achieved national independence in 1956.
There were big parties on the streets of Paris and across France last night anyhow.
A lovely touching moment as Achraf Hakimi celebrates with his mum - he's spoken previously of how much his parents have sacrificed for his success.
Get Involved - breakthrough World Cup performances
#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only) or via What's App on 03301231826
SMS Message: Hakimi last night was unreal! Definitely a World Cup performance to remember for a long time for the North African team from Haz
Hakimi last night was unreal! Definitely a World Cup performance to remember for a long time for the North African team
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Hakimi keeps his nerve
Morocco 0-0 Spain (Morocco win on penalties)
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport in Qatar
In one of the most nerve-shredding scenarios World Cup football is capable of presenting a player with, the whole of Morocco needed their star man Achraf Hakimi to deliver the telling blow to Spain.
After 120 minutes of knife-edge football and two successful penalties the pressure moment fell to the Spanish-born ex-Real Madrid right-back, who may well have lined up for the country of his birth had things panned out differently.
But the 24-year-old had opted for his heritage and now had the weight of responsibility for a nation on his young shoulders, knowing that scoring would take his side through to their first World Cup quarter-final.
The defender stepped up and nonchalantly delivered a dink down the middle of the goal to spark scenes of wild jubilation - before emotionally celebrating the 3-0 shootout victory with his mother in the stands.
Watch: Morocco stun Spain on penalties
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
If you missed it, watch it all unfold above.
Alternatively, you can watch the full match highlights below.
Live Reporting
Joe Bradshaw and Harry De Cosemo
All times stated are UK
'Morocco squad know there's a single cause that's greater than them'
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Morocco's win over Spain "wasn't a huge shock" despite the side "definitely being underdogs" ahead of yesterday's game, according to BBC football journalist Maher Mezahi.
"The fact that they're so strong defensively I think is what gives them the best chance to go far in this tournament," he tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Asked whether it's a divisive issue that much of the Morocco squad, 14 of the 26 players, has been born outside the country, Mezahi says: "Not at all."
"When I spoke to the national team technical director back in 2018, he said each player has their own cultural baggage and when you mix those spices and those flavours together, it's Morocco that wins," he says.
"So it's very much a melting pot situation. At times it can be a little bit weird because instructions that you know training at the training ground will have to be given in two or three languages.
"But overall, I think it actually makes them stronger because they understand that there's a singular cause that's greater than all of them that they all have to fight for. They understand that they have to come together and unite for Morocco."
'There are so many things we do not have'
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live
At least there are 800,000 people in Spain are celebrating - that's the amount of Moroccans who live there.
People were not excited about this Spain team for many reasons. They don’t back the manager who is very divisive and does things that not everybody understands.
We have fallen in the last 16 every time in the last 12 years and are not competing well. That’s where we have to get the debate going in Spain. Take Portugal. They looked strong, fast and they had a lot of movement and variety in way they play. They have centre-forwards. That is a series of things we have decided not to have.
We don’t have a striker. We don’t shoot from outside the box. We are not strong. We are not fast. We don’t pass it quickly. The accumulation of reasons is so big that we realise it’s not by chance.
Do we have to look at other ways? We need more alternatives when things don’t go our way.
Post update
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
If you missed the shootout, then feast your eyes on this...
Post update
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
We're England fans - we know what a bad penalty looks like.
But wow, those Spain spotkicks were criminal.
They're now the worst nation in World Cup history for penalties with four defeats in shootouts.
Should have read Emlyn Begley's how to take a penalty piece over here.
Post update
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Proof that doing homework doesn't always guarantee success.
Style over substance for Spain
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
What next for Spain & Luis Enrique?
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar
Luis Enrique wanted to give Spain's supporters a 'show' at Qatar 2022 - but in the end his side were sent home with accusations of being 'boring' ringing in their ears.
Despite dominating possession in their second-round match against Morocco on Tuesday, Spain were knocked out of the World Cup on penalties as the African side booked a historic quarter-final against Portugal.
It is now 10 years since Spain won their last major trophy, when they won back-to-back Euros and a World Cup in four years, and they have not progressed past the last 16 since they won the World Cup in 2010.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said Spain were "miles away" from competing with the top nations, but is it the end for manager Luis Enrique and his 'passing experiment'?
Read more here
'We're sorry we didn't give you joy'
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Spain manager Luis Enrique has apologised to the fans for his side's lacklustre performance against Morocco last night, where they recorded just one shot on target across the 120 minutes of this match.
Spain also became the first nation in World Cup history to lose four penalty shootouts.
Speaking on Twitter, he said: "It could not be, we have tried but it has not been enough.
"We're sorry we didn't give you joy... that's football and life... get up."
Is time up for Enrique?
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
'No ideas, no goal': Spanish media react to World Cup knockout
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Post update
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
We should probably talk about Spain.
Get Involved - breakthrough World Cup performances
#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only) or via What's App on 03301231826
Why is Morocco abbreviated to MAR?
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Whereas most countries at this World Cup have had a clear three-letter abbreviation, Morocco's shortening to MAR has had people Googling to find out why (other search engines are available).
The short answer is because the French name for Morocco is Maroc so that's why it's given MAR as its official sporting code.
The longer answer is steeped in colonialism and France's historical influence in Morocco dating back to the early 1800s, even though Morocco achieved national independence in 1956.
There were big parties on the streets of Paris and across France last night anyhow.
Party time
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
Only football
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
'Historic moment'
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
BBC Radio 5 Live
Award-winning Moroccan journalist Aziz Nait Sibaha hailed a "historic moment" for her country.
"Even the king went on the streets in a Moroccan jersey to celebrate," she told BBC Radio 5 Live's World Cup Daily podcast.
"We were hoping but this has never happened before. The coach told everyone to believe and finally we did.
"You could tell from the players looking around the stadium and there were so many Moroccans. The public was the 12th player for us.
"With the women's team qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in history, it's been a great year for Moroccan football."
Listen to more reaction over here on BBC Sounds
Family first
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
And he's a family man as well.
A lovely touching moment as Achraf Hakimi celebrates with his mum - he's spoken previously of how much his parents have sacrificed for his success.
Get Involved - breakthrough World Cup performances
#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only) or via What's App on 03301231826
Hakimi keeps his nerve
Morocco 0-0 Spain (Morocco win on penalties)
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport in Qatar
In one of the most nerve-shredding scenarios World Cup football is capable of presenting a player with, the whole of Morocco needed their star man Achraf Hakimi to deliver the telling blow to Spain.
After 120 minutes of knife-edge football and two successful penalties the pressure moment fell to the Spanish-born ex-Real Madrid right-back, who may well have lined up for the country of his birth had things panned out differently.
But the 24-year-old had opted for his heritage and now had the weight of responsibility for a nation on his young shoulders, knowing that scoring would take his side through to their first World Cup quarter-final.
The defender stepped up and nonchalantly delivered a dink down the middle of the goal to spark scenes of wild jubilation - before emotionally celebrating the 3-0 shootout victory with his mother in the stands.
Watch: Morocco stun Spain on penalties
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens)
If you missed it, watch it all unfold above.
Alternatively, you can watch the full match highlights below.