Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman on Wednesday felicitated Morocco after the North African country made history by becoming the first Muslim and Arab country to stream into the quarterfinals of a FIFA World Cup.
Atlas Lions caused one of the biggest World Cup upsets on Tuesday night after defeating formidable Spain in the penalty shootout at Education City Stadium in Qatar.
“We gladly congratulate the honorable Moroccan nation for their national team’s victory and their qualification to the quarter-finals of the World Cup,” Nasser Kan’ani wrote in an Arabic post on his Twitter page.
“We also congratulate the players and the coaching staff, wishing them success in the coming stages.”
The Morocco national football team, nicknamed “the Atlas Lions”, knocked Spain out of the marquee football competition in the penalty shootout on Tuesday, with Spanish-born Achraf Hakimi scoring the decisive spot-kick after Spain squandered all three of their attempts.
The thrilling finish followed a 0-0 draw after high-adrenaline play spanning 120 minutes.
During the 90 minutes plus extra time, Spain dominated possession but failed to create many clear chances against Morocco’s stubborn defense.
Moroccan players posed for a photograph with the Palestinian national flag on the field much to the joy of thousands of spectators after they became the first Muslim and Arab team to reach the final eight stage of the tournament being played in Qatar.
By PRESS TV