The hopes of Morocco, the Arab world, and Africa lay on Yassine Bounou’s shoulders because the highlight fell on him throughout Morocco’s penalty shootout conquer Spain within the spherical of 16 of the World Cup.
Bounou – or ‘Bono’ as he likes to be recognized – nearly thrived below that strain. Calmly taking his place in purpose, grinning as his opponent’s walked as much as him, and staying equal to a few penalties, which might have been 4 having guessed proper for Pablo Sarabia’s spot-kick that hit the publish, to take his nation into their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal.
He was given due credit score by his teammates and supervisor within the aftermath, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi even saying he’s “among the best goalkeepers on this planet”, however for probably the most half, Bounou was comfy being out of the limelight. He let his teammates soak within the second, felt no have to put himself ahead, or to hail himself as extremely as his teammates. “For the penalties, it’s about intuition, a little bit of luck and that’s it, there’s not a lot else,” he stated after the match.
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Regardless of his present of humility within the aftermath of what was the best footballing second of his nation, Bounou’s calm, confident presence in purpose has been central to Morocco’s outstanding World Cup run which noticed them prime a bunch that had European heavyweights like Belgium and Croatia. He had already performed a major function by making key saves to maintain a clear sheet towards Spain. The defence in entrance of him, composed of Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, and Romain Saiss, conceded just one purpose in 4 matches towards top-tier opposition.
That purpose, maybe sarcastically, got here as Aguerd’s personal purpose towards Canada. Born in Montreal, Bounou did, at one level, have the chance to signify Canada however as an alternative selected Morocco after his household moved again to their native nation when he was a toddler. His first large break got here with native membership Wydad Casablanca, the place he confirmed sufficient promise for Atletico Madrid to snap him up.
He had agreed to play for the B workforce within the second division of Spain for 2 years, earlier than getting the callup to the senior workforce, however by no means getting a single look. He as an alternative spent that point out on mortgage with second division workforce Actual Zaragoza, after which received a three-year-long everlasting stint with Girona.
Regardless of a promising youth profession, Bounou needed to earn his stripes within the second division of Spain earlier than getting a giant transfer to Sevilla, who transformed his one-year-long mortgage right into a everlasting transfer. The laborious yards are seen in his humble manner in addition to his ignited ardour for Morocco. And even when he doesn’t speak an excessive amount of off the pitch, within the method during which he has guided his again 4 to being the perfect defence of the World Cup, his pure management can be on present.
Whether or not he likes the limelight or not, it’s sure that every member of this workforce has turn into a Moroccan hero, and none extra so than Bounou.
Penalty saviour
Bounou’s penalty-saving document is outstanding, making him one thing of a spot-kick specialist for Morocco. In a Champions League recreation with Sevilla in 2021, Bounou saved two penalties in the identical recreation with Salzburg FC. That calendar 12 months, he saved 5 of the 13 penalties he was in purpose for.
His complete save proportion from the spot stands at 26%, a really helpful charge, saving 13 of the 50 penalties he had confronted previous to the sport towards Spain. Maybe his composure in purpose needed to do with perception in his personal talents, which can be could also be why, as Bounou revealed after the sport, coach Walid Regragui didn’t have the facet apply too many penalties.
Morocco’s quarterfinal opponents Portugal will probably be cautious of Bounou’s talents in purpose, and on penalties usually. If the sport is tight and results in a shootout, their lesser-experienced keeper Diogo Costa will hand the sting to Bounou, who will probably be tuned in to get one other crack at making historical past for his nation.