King Mohammed VI Sends Huge Message to Moroccan Team Following World Cup Quarter Final Ticket

• Morocco are through to the World Cup quarter-finals following their victory over Spain
• The Atlas Lions have now reached the last eight of the global showpiece for the first time
• King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to the squad ahead of the next round

King Mohammed VI has congratulated Moroccan players, following their stunning victory over Spain to reach the quarter-final stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

The Atlas Lions defeated the tournament favourites via a penalty shootout after the tie had ended 0-0 in regulation time.

The North Africans continued their fairytale at the global showpiece, becoming the first African nation to win on penalty shootouts in the history of the World Cup.

Morocco achieved this long-awaited milestone by beating Spain 3-0 on penalties, after a nerve-shredding 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time.

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After the game, the king hailed the historic performance of the national team, who have lived up to the expectations and aspirations of the large and valiant Moroccan public that supports them in their homeland, in Qatar, and around the world.

North Africa Post reports that King Mohammed VI called on the team to stay their course in the competition, and to continue honouring football to carry the flag of the kingdom high.

Morocco dedicate win to Nouri

Meanwhile, players of Morocco celebrated their victory over Spain at the World Cup in Qatar by paying tribute to Abdelhak Nouri.

The Atlas Lions beat the 2010 world champions on penalties to advance to the last eight of the tournament.

After the match, the players - who were celebrating wildly - took a moment to remember Dutch-born Moroccan Nouri.

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Samuel Eto’o sends Morocco message

Sports Brief earlier reported that the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto'o has congratulated Morocco for becoming the fourth African country to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the Atlas Lions' hero after saving two penalty kicks, with Achraf Hakimi putting the icing on the cake with an expertly taken strike.

Eto'o, who had previously predicted a Morocco versus Cameroon final, took to social media to celebrate the North Africans.