Tuesday's attempt by Spain to advance to their first World Cup quarter final since 2010 was frustrating and unsuccessful as they lost to Morocco on penalties after missing all of their attempts.
After dominating for 120 minutes without scoring and accumulating 1019 passes, Luis Enrique's team lost in the penalty shootout thanks to saves from goalie Yassine Bounou on Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler, and Sergio Busquets. Achraf Hakimi, a Madrid native, had the chance to win it, and he did so with a Panenka to advance Morocco to the round of eight for the first time.
Spain was left looking perplexed and doubtless doubting their strategy as Morocco and their boisterous supporters jubilantly celebrated.
Over the course of the 120 minutes, Luis Enrique's team had about 77 percent of the possession, but only one shot on goal was produced. The closest Spain came to scoring in the first half was after 26 minutes when Jordi Alba lifted the ball over the opposition for Marco Asensio, who was positioned as a false nine but missed the target.
When Morocco did advance, they did so deliberately, with left winger Sofiane Boufal causing Marcos Llorente, their temporary right-back, a miserable evening.
The best opportunity for Morocco in the first half was created by Boufal, who outran Llorente and crossed for Nayef Aguerd, who could only head the ball over from six yards away. Similar play continued in the second half, albeit Morocco's counter attacks were less common.
In an effort to revive his attack, Luis Enrique brought on Alvaro Morata and Nico Williams. With eight minutes left, Morata's cross shot nearly paid off, but it flashed across the face of the goal.
With practically the last kick of regulation, Bounou was finally forced into significant action when Dani Olmo's inswinging free-kick missed everyone and required the Moroccan goalkeeper to dive to his left to palm the ball away to safety.
After 103 minutes, Unai Simon, the counterpart of Boujou, was forced into action. After some deft work from Azzedine Ounahi, he made a deft stop with his feet to block a low shot from Walid Cheddira.
Before Sarabia nearly won it with his final kick, his volley hitting the outside of the post, the remainder of extra time produced little. As Bounou took the stage, his night was about to get even worse.
KEY POINTS? RISK-AVERSE SPAIN FALTERS
Spain maintained their values throughout, although having a backup plan would have been helpful. They played too cautiously and risk-adversely overall.
Morocco was rarely in danger due to insufficient penetration and excessive sideways passing.
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