‘Bit of intitution, bit of luck’: Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou on penalty saves to remove Spain

Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has a historical past of seizing the larger moments in soccer. At the 2022 World Cup, it was when he accomplished an assured recreation as a goalkeeper who may cross out from the again whereas additionally making two key saves in a penalty shootout towards Spain to drop the 2010 World Champions out of the World Cup.

“You know penalties, it’s a little bit of intuition, a little bit of luck,” Bounou stated to beIN Sports.

But just a few years again, he had relegated a 122-goal, record-setting Manchester United group to their third trophy defeat of the season. Playing for Sevilla as their first-choice goalkeeper, Bounou made six saves on an evening when United tried frantically to make a comeback into the sport. He repeatedly denied Anthony Martial in entrance of aim and so they ended up dropping 2-1 as Sevilla went on to raise yet one more Europa trophy, this time because of their Moroccan custodian.

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In Doha, Bounou has been a part of a outstanding Moroccan squad that’s taken down Belgium, Canada and now Spain whereas drawing degree towards present World Cup finalists Croatia. They’ve carried out all this whereas solely conceding one aim by way of greater than 400 minutes of soccer.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Bounou’s dad and mom had been Moroccans. But at a really younger age, he moved again to his residence nation. Bounou had the choice of enjoying for both Canada or Morocco however selected the Moroccans, having performed within the Moroccan league. He bought his break when he joined three-time CAF Champions League winners Wydad Casablanca in 2011.

After a few years for the Moroccan giants, Bounou was picked up by the Atletico Madrid B group for whom he performed for 2 years and had 47 appearances. This began his ongoing ten-year journey in Spain the place he has performed for the Atletico Madrid senior group, Real Zaragoza, Girona (visited Kochi in 2018 and was a part of the squad that defeated Kerala Blasters 5-0). His finest stint within the La Liga although, has been his most up-to-date. Bounou presently has 76 appearances with Sevilla, together with a Europa League title the place they beat Inter Milan within the ultimate.

Moroccan followers and journalists had been seen screaming and crying after their group beat Spain. One journalist was captured crying within the media tribune whereas one other Moroccan journalist thanked Bounou and his supervisor Walid Regragui.

With each nations close to one another, many Moroccans immigrate to Spain and each nations share historical past. Bounou was in truth named the primary African MVP, an award that was began by the La Liga within the 2021-22 season.

Morocco subsequent faces Portugal. The quarter-final match will see one of many stingiest defences on the match tackle a group that dropped Cristiano Ronaldo after which scored six objectives in addition.