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Mo­roc­co Beat Spain On Penalties To Reach World Cup Quar­ter-fi­nals

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Morocco will next face either Portugal or Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday

Atlas Lions edge past Spain on penalties to become the first Arab country to reach World Cup quarter-finals.

Morocco have booked their place in the World Cup’s quarter-finals after a sensational penalty shootout win against Spain, becoming the first Arab country to ever reach the tournament’s last eight.

The Atlas Lions’ Spanish-born superstar wing-back Achraf Hakimi brought the curtain down on Tuesday’s last-16 clash at the Education City Stadium, notching the winner from the spot to make it 3-0 on penalties and sending the tens of thousands of raucous Moroccan fans in attendance into rapture.

Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and captain Sergio Busquets missed their penalties for Spain; Sarabia hit the post and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stopped the other two.

It was a goalless deadlock after the 120 minutes of normal and extra time and penalty kicks were necessary to break the impasse.

Morocco will next face either Portugal or Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The Atlas Lions are the only team from outside Europe or South America still in the tournament.

Morocco vs Spain
Jawad El Yamiq celebrates Morocco’s historic win 

Spain’s penalty practice proves insufficient

Spain had been hoping they could repeat their 2010 World Cup triumph in Qatar after a promising run at Euro 2020 that saw them reach the semi-finals before being beaten on penalties by Italy.

Coach Luis Enrique said before Tuesday’s showdown with Morocco that he had instructed his players to take “at least 1,000 penalties” in the build-up to the World Cup in a bid to ensure they were ready to deal with the pressure of a penalty shoot-out.

But their preparation came up short in the heat of the contest, with Sarabia striking the post from Spain’s first penalty having been specifically sent on in anticipation of the shoot-out.

His miss came after Abdelhamid Sabiri had sent Morocco 1-0 ahead in the shootout, and paved the way for Hakim Ziyech to net for the Atlas Lions and put them 2-0 ahead.

Soler then saw his effort saved by Yassine Bounou, Morocco’s 31-year-old Canadian-born goalkeeper, before Badr Benoun also missed for Morocco.

Busquets was unable to turn the tide with his tame effort, leaving the stage set for Hakimi to step up and nonchalantly guide his side to victory with a calm chipped shot down the centre of goal, sometimes called a “Panenka”.

Morocco vs Spain
Morocco is the first Arab country to ever reach the World Cup quarter-finals 

Toothless Spain outdone by resolute Morocco

Spain had enjoyed more than 75 percent of possession during normal and extra time, completing nearly 1,000 passes in total, but managed just a single shot on target prior to the penalty shoot-out.

The Spanish spent big chunks of the match just orbiting Morocco’s penalty area without attempting any shots, through-balls or moves to break down their well-organised opponents.

Morocco, meanwhile, caused problems for Enrique’s side on the counterattack, forcing goalkeeper Unai Simon to make several good saves.

The Atlas Lions used the pace of Hakim Ziyech and Soufiane Boufal to great effect and a foul on the latter gave the African side the first scoring opportunity as Achraf Hakimi blazed over a free-kick.

Defender Nayef Aguerd later headed over, while Marco Asensio hit the side-netting for Spain.

Dani Olmo recorded Spain’s first shot on target in the 54th minute with an angled shot which Bounou palmed away.

Enrique then sent on Alvaro Morata and Nico Williams in a bid to inject life into his team, but Morocco dug deep to get through extra time without conceding. Their resolute display ensured they finished as deserved winners following Spain’s subsequent collapse in the penalty shootout.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

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Obeena Delivers Show-Stopping Performance at Igbotic Game Night in East London

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East Ham, East London — 8 August 2026: The vibrant Igbo community in the UK came together for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, culture and social connection at Igbotic Game Night, one of the biggest social gatherings celebrating the Igbo community in the United Kingdom.

Among the night’s standout moments was an electrifying performance by Afrobeats artist Obeena, who took the stage and immediately captured the attention of the crowd.

Obeena delivered performances of two of his hit songs, “Wara Wara” and “Banging,” bringing his energetic sound and distinctive stage presence to the event. From the opening moments of his set, fans responded with excitement, singing along, dancing and enthusiastically supporting the artist.

His performance of “Wara Wara” created an instant connection with the audience, while “Banging” took the energy to another level. Obeena’s ability to engage the crowd transformed his set into one of the most memorable entertainment moments of the evening.

Held in East Ham, East London, on 8 August 2026, Igbotic Game Night provided a unique platform for members of the Igbo community to celebrate their heritage while enjoying music, games and social interaction. Events such as this continue to play an important role in bringing together Nigerians and the wider African diaspora in the UK.

For Obeena, the performance was another opportunity to showcase his growing artistry and connect directly with fans. His energetic delivery, stage confidence and ability to command the audience demonstrated why his live performances continue to attract attention.

By the end of his set, Obeena had left the crowd amazed and added another memorable chapter to his journey as an Afrobeats artist. His appearance at Igbotic Game Night was not simply a performance—it was a celebration of Nigerian music, culture and community.

 

With performances like this, Obeena continues to demonstrate his ambition to take his sound beyond the studio and onto major stages, connecting with audiences through music, energy and an unmistakable African identity.

Igbotic Game Night brought the Igbo community together. Obeena gave them a performance to remember.

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Afrocentric Music Festival Invites 1,000 Music Artists!

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Are you a rising African artist ready to take your career to the next level? Showcase your talent on a massive stage at the AFROCENTRIC Music Festival in Abuja, running from November 7–18, 2026! Presented by NICOCUSA’s AFROCENTRIC Cultural Expo, this premier platform is inviting 1,000 up-and-coming artists to perform live before tens of thousands of music lovers, industry insiders, and energetic fans. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity to launch your music career on a global stage—slots are limited, so visit afrocentricculturalexpo.com to register today, and follow us on social media for live updates!

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KenryWhite Releases “Kilometers” & “The King” A Powerful Double Release Celebrating Faith, Purpose, and the Journey to Greatness

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Nigerian Afrofusion artist KenryWhite unveils his compelling two-track release, “Kilometers & The King,” a project that explores the realities of life’s journey while affirming identity, faith, and purpose.

Leading the release is “Kilometers,” an uplifting anthem that reflects on the distance between dreams and fulfillment. Through heartfelt lyrics, captivating melodies, and vibrant Afrobeats production, KenryWhite encourages listeners to embrace the process, remain resilient, and keep moving forward despite life’s challenges.

Complementing the project is “The King,” featuring Wonder J. The record is a bold declaration of confidence, royalty, and divine purpose, blending infectious Afrobeats rhythms with inspiring lyricism. Together, the duo delivers a record that celebrates self-belief, leadership, and the mindset required to overcome every obstacle.

With rich storytelling, memorable melodies, and contemporary African sounds, “Kilometers & The King” showcases KenryWhite’s artistic growth while delivering music that inspires, motivates, and connects with audiences across the globe.

Now available on all major streaming platforms, “Kilometers & The King” invites listeners to embrace the journey, recognize their worth, and walk confidently into their purpose.

 

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