World Cup 2022: King of Morocco congratulates team for reaching quarter-finals for first time in history

King of Morocco Mohammed VI has congratulated the senior national team for making history by beating Spain on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time.

The two teams couldn't be separated after 120 minutes and Spain failed to convert any of their three penalties, with goalkeeper Bounou brilliantly saving two.

That left Hakimi to win it for the North Africans with his nerveless spot-kick and spark jubilant scenes in the stands at the Education City Stadium.

The King hailed the historic performance of the members of the national team who have lived up to the expectations and aspirations of the large and valiant Moroccan public that supports them in Morocco, Qatar and around the world, calling on them to stay the course in this competition, to continue to honor the national soccer and to carry high the flag of the Kingdom.

Several Heads of State have congratulated King Mohammed VI for this great performance.

The King thus received phone calls from the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, and the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba. The Sovereign also received a phone call from Prince Hassan Ibn Talal of Jordan.

They all expressed in these calls their warm congratulations to the King following this historic achievement.

Morocco are the last African side following the exit of African champions Senegal, Ghana, Tunisia and Cameroon.

Coach Walid Regragui's side are also only remaining Arab team left in the tournament and will face Portugal in the quarterfinals in Qatar.