The most cursed batch in Spain: the first failure of Sarabia, the tension of Luis Enrique and the call of the King

• Chronicle The great fiasco of Spain is consummated in a disastrous penalty shootout against Morocco

• Final phase Quarterfinal crossovers

When

fired the last arrow for Morocco, the one that proved deadly for Spain in the penalty shootout, Luis Enrique got up from the bench, where he preferred to witness the fatal outcome.

While the players and part of the coaching staff remained embracing on the sideline, he wanted to experience it alone.

, who had entered a few minutes ago to carry out one of the maximum penalties,

and

they missed their shots and the Spanish team said goodbye in the same way to a World Cup.

The same as four years ago, at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, against Russia.

The same as in the last Eurocup, in the semifinals against Italy.

But the national coach got up from his seat and went to the center of the field to console his players one by one.

The journey through Qatar, despite the party's dominance, had come to an end.

This time, the hero was not Unai Simón, but

, the goalkeeper trained in Spanish football.

"I think that in the 120 minutes of the game we were superior, but what I say now is of little value if we don't hit it in front of goal. In the penalty shootout they have been better and that is what has made them reach the quarterfinals," he lamented.

, who came to stop one of the Moroccan throws.

"We didn't expect to be knocked out against Morocco, but it's the reality," he maintained, trying to take the blow.

"That's what penalties have. You play a great game and you can't score. In that luck, anything can happen," added

, after playing his first game in the championship.

, the president of the RFEF, who received the call from

, just like the coach himself,

went down to the pitch .

There were tears, of course.

While the Education City stadium, which is already part of the black legend of the Spanish team, roared enthusiastically.

Because for 120 minutes, plus the penalty shootout, it was as if the game had actually been played in Rabat itself.

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World Cup 2022.

The same failure as in Russia, without the need to do a Lopetegui

• Drafting: ORFEO SUÁREZDoha

The same failure as in Russia, without the need to do a Lopetegui

Another tragic outcome from 11 meters in a World Cup.

Like against Belgium (1986), South Korea (2002) and Russia (2018).

Now it has been Morocco, which for the first time pushed Spain into the abyss, which for the first time is reaching the quarterfinals, which is added to that black list.

"They were very clear about what they wanted to play for, we don't have much more to say in the end. We haven't been successful on penalties and we're going home," settled

, who was once again the leader since that central mission where he has fully fulfilled.

Paul's infallibility

had to

taste one of the bitterest drinks of his career.

Luis Enrique called him in the twilight of extra time (118), thinking about the penalties, and he himself could have avoided them with a shot that ended up kissing Bono's post.

They have been the only minutes of him in this championship.

And he wanted fate that under the closed night of Doha, among the Moroccan roar from the stands, Pablo sent his shot to the right post.

It was his first career stud after 16 pitches without an error.

Perhaps a premonition of what turned out to be the worst sequence for Spain in a World Cup.

Because after his, the failures of Soler and Busquets would arrive, who believed they saw a giant in the figure of Bono, who was chosen the MVP of the match.

Never before had Spain been left to zero in a round.

Spain, despite 77% possession, was unable to avoid that precipice that ended up being penalties.

The demons took Luis Enrique in those last minutes, with Morocco losing as much time as possible because his bet was to play it from those 11 meters that have once again been fatal for the team.

It was the big surprise of the round of 16, the one that always appears in a World Cup.

Perhaps it was the last episode of the Asturian coach in charge of the selection.

It will take time for that wound to heal.

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• Spain Soccer Team

• Morocco national football team

• Articles Carlos Guisasola