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Rabat – Paris Saint‑Germain coach Luis Enrique has described Spain’s 2022 FIFA World Cup loss to Morocco as both his greatest disappointment and his most cherished memory from the tournament.
Speaking to La Nueva España yesterday, Enrique recalled the round‑of‑16 match in Qatar where Spain dominated possession but failed to break down Morocco’s defense.
The game ended goalless after 120 minutes, with Morocco winning on penalties to reach the quarter‑finals.
“Best memory? The last match I played against Morocco,” Enrique said. “We were superior against one of the best rising African teams. They defended for 120 minutes, and we lost on penalties.”
Enrique admitted the defeat remains the biggest failure of his coaching career, drawing criticism that continues today. Yet, he insisted he views the match differently.
“I was criticized, and I still am, because it was seen as my biggest failure,” he explained. “But for me, it was also my greatest joy at the World Cup. Why? Because we gave everything to win. We were better than the opponent, but it wasn’t our best day.”
The former Spain coach stressed that what many considered a tragedy, he remembers as a moment of pride. “What others call a disaster, I see as happiness I will never forget,” he said. “I always carry good memories of the World Cup.”
Enrique, now focused on PSG’s Champions League final against Arsenal, said he hopes to enjoy watching Spain at this summer’s World Cup. “I want to watch the tournament and enjoy the Spanish national team,” he added.
Spain’s exit to Morocco in 2022 was one of the shocks of the World Cup, with the Atlas Lions later reaching the semi‑finals as the first African team to do so.
That breakthrough opened new doors for Moroccan football, paving the way for further success, winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Senegal, climbing to 8th place in the FIFA global ranking, and celebrating the U‑20 team’s World Cup triumph.
