World Cup 2022: Morocco Becomes First African Country to Win Penalty Shootouts

• Morocco continued their fairytale run in the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup against Spain
• After finishing the group stages in style, the Atlas Lions stunned the 2010 world champions
• In conquering the European powerhouse, Morocco added to their feats at this year's Mundial

Morocco has become the first African nation to win on penalty shootouts in the history of the World Cup.

The Atlas Lions achieved this long-awaited milestone by beating Spain 3-0 on penalties, after an anxious 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time.

Walid Regragui's charges sailed through the group stages unbeaten, finishing at the summit of Group F ahead of a star-studded Belgium team, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, and minnows Canada.

Paired against 2010 world champions Spain, Morocco braved the odds to become only the fourth African nation to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup, B/R Football reports.

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Aside from chalking that record, the Atlas Lions also became the first nation to win on penalty shootouts at the Mundial.

Morocco coach sends Africans message

Morocco coach Walid Regragui says there is a need for African countries to change their mentality when it comes to the World Cup.

The Atlas Lions have been the most impressive African nation so far in the tournament, after topping a group which included heavy hitters Belgium and Croatia.

Morocco went through Group F unbeaten, after a goalless draw in their opening game coupled with two wins.

Morocco boot Spain from tournament

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Achraf Hakimi struck a decisive penalty, to send Spain crashing out and place Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

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Spain coach Luis Enrique had claimed his players prepared by taking 1,000 penalties as homework, but Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all missed from the spot while Madrid-born Hakimi dinked home to the delight of Morocco's raucous supporters.

Regragui's side have been confirmed to face Portugal in what is uncharted territory for the North Africans, with their previous best a last 16 exit in 1986.