Flabbergasted, Foreign News Outlets Echo Morocco’s Football Triumph

A myriad of foreign media outlets commented, in shock, on the football game played Tuesday by Morocco and Spain as part of the 2022 World Cup knockouts.
After a 0-0 draw the entire match, Morocco stunned Spain in penalty shootouts (3-0) and advanced to the quarterfinals.
NBS Chicago said that Morocco is simultaneously gaining fans and breaking hearts in its miraculous run in the quadrennial tournament.
“The Atlas Lions started the tournament with a 0-0 draw to Croatia before upsetting Belgium 2-0 in the second group stage game. They controlled their fate to finish first in the group against Canada, and they did just that after securing a 2-1 win. Morocco pulled off another upset by beating Spain in penalty kicks in their round of 16 matchup,” wrote the US news outlet.
ESPN said that the times were divided in experience — it was Morocco’s first shootout at a World Cup finals and Spain’s fifth but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou turned hero, watching Spain first spot kick hit the post before saving their next two efforts. “Defender Achraf Hakimi then stepped up with a chance to win it, chipping his penalty in superb style claim a 3-0 victory in the shootout,” it noted.
CNN chose the title “Why Morocco’s World Cup success is no fluke” to speak of a historic day for Morocco, Africa, Arabs and Muslims.
It said that the Atlas Lions had roared to stun 2010 World Cup winner Spain and reach the quarterfinals of Qatar 2022. The significance of the occasion was not lost on head coach Walid Regragui. “Before it was just the Moroccans who supported us,” he said ahead of the game against Spain. “Now it is the Africans and Arabs.”
Lamenting their fate, Spanish speaking Marca said “Morocco sent us home. This is the end of many things. The end of Spain in Qatar’s World Cup, the end of Luis Enrique’s as a coach. Spain is heading home too early in two consecutive world cups. We’re deeply shocked.