DOHA: Morocco’s Yassine Bounou put his World Cup penalty-saving heroics against Spain on Tuesday down to a mixture of luck and intuition.
The Sevilla stopper saved two of Spain’s penalties in the 3-0 shootout triumph as his side reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
The match had finished goalless after extra-time.
“You know penalties, it’s a little bit of intuition, a little bit of luck,” Bounou told beIN Sports.
“We won, that’s the most important thing. Hats off to the whole team, they did the job, it was incredible.
“It’s not easy to stay focused for 120 minutes, against a Spanish team that dominates the ball well, who has possession.
“When you live moments like this, sometimes it’s hard to realise it. We will try to avoid the noise around us, stay focused on ourselves, on our job, our recovery.”
Morocco, the last African side and only remaining Arab team left in the tournament, will face Portugal in the quarter-finals in Qatar.
“I’m so happy for the team—they did a great job all through the game,” said Bounou.
“We understood (how to play) the game from the start, so I’m so happy for this win.”
Morocco fans packed Education City Stadium and vastly outnumbered Spain supporters, creating an intimidating and impressive atmosphere. Bounou was also grateful for the support from home.
“We felt the support of our fans in Morocco and elsewhere, and that gave us momentum in the stadium,” the goalkeeper told reporters.
“On behalf of all the players, I want to thank the fans who helped us in this task.
“I congratulate all the players and I offer this gift to all the Moroccan people.”
Meanwhile, thousands of Morocco fans descended on the streets of Doha to celebrate their country becoming the first Arab nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Despite some minor trouble outside the stadium, the victory over Spain became a celebration of “Arab pride” for supporters from across the region.
So many people packed Doha’s central Souq Waqif market—a traditional gathering point for World Cup fans—that police sealed it off just before midnight, with thousands waiting in groups at different entrances.
Copying the celebration of Moroccan players inside Doha’s Education City Stadium, many fans waved Palestinian flags, stepping up a political show of solidarity that has marked this World Cup.
“This is the first World Cup on Arab territory and we are carrying the Arab flag in this tournament,” said Yussuf Akram, who waved Moroccan and Palestinian emblems in the crowded Souq alleys.
Saudis, Qataris and Egyptians joined the celebrations, waving their countries’ flags in the traditional market as police gathered around the edge.
“This is a matter of pride, we are all happy for Morocco,” said Aysha Bedawi, who came from Cairo to watch World Cup matches.
“It does not matter which team reached this stage, as long as there is one Arab team there we still have hope.”
Arab teams have previously reached the last 16 at a World Cup three times – Morocco (1986), Saudi Arabia (1994) and Algeria (2014).
The prospect of playing Portugal in a quarter-final did not worry supporters who chanted “bring on Ronaldo” outside a TV studio set up in the Souq.
“If Morocco can beat Spain, who have been world champions, then they can handle Cristiano Ronaldo,” said Mohamed Benyoub, a Moroccan living in Qatar.
“I cried when the game finished, I never thought I would see something like this.”
Organisers said police had to move in to stop “unticketed fans” beating down a stadium boundary fence to gain entry. No injuries were reported.
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