Morocco will play in a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time after defeating Spain at Education City. And by defeating either Portugal in Saturday's last-eight tie, the Atlas Lions will become the first African nation to reach the semifinals. The only African team in the competition, they were already carrying the hopes of a continent, and among the Moroccan flags were many Palestinian flags, which have been prominent at every game involving a North African or Middle Eastern team.
Sports
Morocco fans celebrate historic feat
Morocco supporters celebrate after their team won the Qatar 2022 World Cup round 16 football match between Morocco and Spain, at the FIFA fan zone in Doha, on December 6, 2022. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
A reporter stands between Morocco supporters celebrating in the streets in Doha on December 6, 2022 after their team won the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain. - Morocco beat Spain on penalties to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history on December 6, 2022 after the match finished 0-0.
The African side won the shoot-out 3-0 after Spain failed to convert all three of their spot kicks. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)
Morocco's supporters celebrate after their team won the Qatar 2022 World Cup round 16 football match between Morocco and Spain, at the FIFA fan zone in Doha, on December 6, 2022. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
Morocco's supporters celebrate after their team won the Qatar 2022 World Cup round 16 football match between Morocco and Spain, at the FIFA fan zone in Doha, on December 6, 2022. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi (C) celebrates with teammates after converting the last penalty during the penalty shoot-out to win the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Morocco's players bow as they celebrate after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Morocco's players celebrate with supporters after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
Morocco supporters celebrate in the streets in Doha on December 6, 2022 after their team won the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain. - Morocco beat Spain on penalties to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history on December 6, 2022 after the match finished 0-0.
The African side won the shoot-out 3-0 after Spain failed to convert all three of their spot kicks. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)
Morocco's players celebrate with relatives at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Morocco's players celebrate at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
A member of Morocco's team holds a Palestinian flag after the team won the penalty shoot-out to win the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
Morocco supporters hold a Morocco flag as they celebrate in the streets in Doha on December 6, 2022 after their team won the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain. - Morocco beat Spain on penalties to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history on December 6, 2022 after the match finished 0-0.
The African side won the shoot-out 3-0 after Spain failed to convert all three of their spot kicks. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)
Qatar Tribune
Dec 07, 2022
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