Match 55
Morocco v Spain
Morocco will play in the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the very first time after they defeated Spain 3-0 (0-0 AET) on penalties in the Round of 16.
An entertaining first half made way for a tense second in Al-Rayyan, where neither side could be separated after 120 minutes.
What transpired next was the first upset of the knockout stages, with Yassine Bounou making two saves and forcing Pablo Sarabia to hit the post in a stunning shootout.
Badr Benoun was the only Moroccan to miss his attempt, though it mattered little as Achraf Hakimi ensured the Atlas Lions’ historic victory.
Match 56
Portugal v Switzerland
Portugal eased their way to the quarter-finals after thumping Switzerland 6-1 in Lusail.
Goncalo Ramos was picked to start ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the 21-year-old duly repaid the faith of Fernando Santos with a maiden international hat-trick.
Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also got in on the scoring, with Manuel Akanji netting a consolation for the Swiss on the hour mark.
It all made for an impressive performance from Portugal, who will now meet Morocco in the semi-finals.
