• Morocco's players celebrate after their 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Spain at Education City Stadium on December 6, 2022, in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Getty
    Morocco's players celebrate after their 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Spain at Education City Stadium on December 6, 2022, in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Getty
  • Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning penalty. AFP
    Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning penalty. AFP
  • Morocco goalkeeper Bono saves from Sergio Busquets of Spain during the penalty shoot-out. EPA
    Morocco goalkeeper Bono saves from Sergio Busquets of Spain during the penalty shoot-out. EPA
  • Dejected Spain players after the match. AFP
    Dejected Spain players after the match. AFP
  • Morocco players celebrate the win. AFP
    Morocco players celebrate the win. AFP
  • Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrates after the team's victory in the penalty shoot-out against Spain. Getty
    Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrates after the team's victory in the penalty shoot-out against Spain. Getty
  • Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrate after the team's victory. Getty
    Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrate after the team's victory. Getty
  • Achraf Hakimi of Morocco scores the team's fourth and winning penalty in the shoot-out against Spain. Getty
    Achraf Hakimi of Morocco scores the team's fourth and winning penalty in the shoot-out against Spain. Getty
  • Morocco's Achraf Hakimi scores the winning penalty. Reuters
    Morocco's Achraf Hakimi scores the winning penalty. Reuters
  • Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon watches Morocco's Achraf Hakimi's winning penalty hits the back of the net. AP
    Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon watches Morocco's Achraf Hakimi's winning penalty hits the back of the net. AP
  • Goalkeeper Bono of Morocco saves the third penalty by Sergio Busquets of Spain. Getty
    Goalkeeper Bono of Morocco saves the third penalty by Sergio Busquets of Spain. Getty
  • Morocco players react after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saves a penalty from Spain's Carlos Soler. PA
    Morocco players react after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saves a penalty from Spain's Carlos Soler. PA
  • Morocco's Hakim Ziyech scores a penalty shoot-out. AP
    Morocco's Hakim Ziyech scores a penalty shoot-out. AP
  • Bono of Morocco makes a save against a penalty by Carlos Soler of Spain in the penalty shoot-out. Getty
    Bono of Morocco makes a save against a penalty by Carlos Soler of Spain in the penalty shoot-out. Getty
  • Unai Simon of Spain makes a save against Walid Cheddira of Morocco. Getty
    Unai Simon of Spain makes a save against Walid Cheddira of Morocco. Getty
  • Spain's Marco Asensio hits the side netting with a shot. AP
    Spain's Marco Asensio hits the side netting with a shot. AP
  • Spain's Marco Asensio after hitting the side netting with an attempt on goal. AFP
    Spain's Marco Asensio after hitting the side netting with an attempt on goal. AFP
  • Morocco keeper Bono punches the ball clear. Getty
    Morocco keeper Bono punches the ball clear. Getty
  • Morocco goalkeeper Bono is put under pressure by Marco Asensio of Spain. Getty
    Morocco goalkeeper Bono is put under pressure by Marco Asensio of Spain. Getty
  • Morocco's Nayef Aguerd heads a good chance over the bar. AP
    Morocco's Nayef Aguerd heads a good chance over the bar. AP
  • Morocco's Nayef Aguerd heads the ball over the bar. AFP
    Morocco's Nayef Aguerd heads the ball over the bar. AFP
  • Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco battles for possession with Ferran Torres of Spain. Getty
    Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco battles for possession with Ferran Torres of Spain. Getty
  • Youssef En-Nesyri, Sergio Busquets and Nayef Aguerd challenge for the ball. EPA
    Youssef En-Nesyri, Sergio Busquets and Nayef Aguerd challenge for the ball. EPA
  • Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui and Spain's Ferran Torres battle. AP
    Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui and Spain's Ferran Torres battle. AP
  • Spain's forward Marco Asensio fights for the ball with Morocco's Romain Ghanem Saiss. AFP
    Spain's forward Marco Asensio fights for the ball with Morocco's Romain Ghanem Saiss. AFP
  • Morocco keeper Bono saves a shot by Spain's Gavi. AP
    Morocco keeper Bono saves a shot by Spain's Gavi. AP
  • Spain manager Luis Enrique talks to Gavi. EPA
    Spain manager Luis Enrique talks to Gavi. EPA
  • Morocco keeper Bono tips a shot from Spain's Gavi on to the bar. Getty
    Morocco keeper Bono tips a shot from Spain's Gavi on to the bar. Getty
  • Spain's Gavi talks to Argentinian referee Fernando Rapallini after fouling Morocco's Sofiane Boufal. AFP
    Spain's Gavi talks to Argentinian referee Fernando Rapallini after fouling Morocco's Sofiane Boufal. AFP
  • Spain's Dani Olmo grimaces in pain. AP
    Spain's Dani Olmo grimaces in pain. AP
  • Spain's Aymeric Laporte challenges for the ball against Morocco's Walid Cheddira. AP
    Spain's Aymeric Laporte challenges for the ball against Morocco's Walid Cheddira. AP
  • Morocco's Nayef Aguerd walks off the pitch after picking up an injury. AP
    Morocco's Nayef Aguerd walks off the pitch after picking up an injury. AP
  • Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech talks with coach Walid Regragui. AFP
    Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech talks with coach Walid Regragui. AFP
  • Morocco's goalkeeper Bono punches clear. AFP
    Morocco's goalkeeper Bono punches clear. AFP
  • Aymeric Laporte of Spain is booked. EPA
    Aymeric Laporte of Spain is booked. EPA

'A gift to all of Morocco' - Bono celebrates World Cup win against Spain


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Morocco goalkeeper Bono described his side’s historic World Cup victory against Spain as a “gift to all of Morocco”.

The North Africans, competing in the tournament’s knockouts for the first time in 36 years, defeated the 2010 champions on penalties at Education City Stadium on Tuesday after the match had finished goalless.

The win ensured Morocco became the first Arab team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Yassine Bounou, known as Bono, would prove the hero for his national team, the Sevilla goalkeeper saving two of Spain's three penalties in the shoot-out to leave Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi to seal a famous victory.

Referencing the vocal and partisan backing Morocco had in the stands, as well as back home, Bono said: "We felt the support of our fans in Morocco and elsewhere, and that gave us momentum in the stadium.

"On behalf of all the players, I want to thank the fans who helped us in this task. I congratulate all the players and I offer this gift to all the Moroccan people."

In the shoot-out, after Pablo Sarabia struck the post, Bono saved from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets to consign Spain to their second successive exit on penalties from the World Cup.

"You know penalties, it's a little bit of intuition, a little bit of luck," Bono told beIN Sports. "We won, that's the most important thing. Hats off to the whole team – they did the job. It was incredible.

"It's not easy to stay focused for 120 minutes, against a Spanish team that dominates the ball well, who has possession.

"When you live moments like this, sometimes it's hard to realise it. We will try to avoid the noise around us, stay focused on ourselves, on our job, our recovery."

Morocco, who also became the fourth African side to advance to the last 16, will face Portugal in the quarter-finals.

"I'm so happy for the team ... they did a great job all through the game," Bono said. "We understood the game from the start, so I'm so happy for this win."

Best and worst 'Panenkas' after Hakimi's daring penalty against Spain - in pictures

Here is a list of five of the best paneka penatlies – as well as five of the worst fails.

  • HITS: Antonin Panenka (Czechoslovakia v West Germany, 1976). Beating the Germans on penalties is flash enough. Doing it in such cool fashion the manoeuvre would forever be named after you? What a dude. AP
    HITS: Antonin Panenka (Czechoslovakia v West Germany, 1976). Beating the Germans on penalties is flash enough. Doing it in such cool fashion the manoeuvre would forever be named after you? What a dude. AP
  • Achraf Hakimi (Morocco v Spain, 2022). Against the country of his birth. To give his country of origin their greatest ever win. Not so much cool as Arctic. AFP
    Achraf Hakimi (Morocco v Spain, 2022). Against the country of his birth. To give his country of origin their greatest ever win. Not so much cool as Arctic. AFP
  • Andrea Pirlo (Italy v England, 2012). The epitome of cool. And the penalty wasn’t bad, either. Getty
    Andrea Pirlo (Italy v England, 2012). The epitome of cool. And the penalty wasn’t bad, either. Getty
  • Zinedine Zidane (France v Italy, 2006). Added a frisson of drama by chipping it in off the underside of the bar, and just over the line. All part of a nice quiet night for the retiring France great … Getty
    Zinedine Zidane (France v Italy, 2006). Added a frisson of drama by chipping it in off the underside of the bar, and just over the line. All part of a nice quiet night for the retiring France great … Getty
  • Omar Abdulrahman (UAE v Japan, 2015). One of the biggest upsets in Asian Cup history, and perhaps UAE’s greatest ever win. In the midst of the shoot-out, their maestro dinked in a Panenka. Getty
    Omar Abdulrahman (UAE v Japan, 2015). One of the biggest upsets in Asian Cup history, and perhaps UAE’s greatest ever win. In the midst of the shoot-out, their maestro dinked in a Panenka. Getty
  • MISSES: Gary Lineker (England v Brazil, 1992). One short of Sir Bobby Charlton’s record number of goals for England, he botched his showy penalty in a pre-Euro 1992 friendly at Wembley. Getty
    MISSES: Gary Lineker (England v Brazil, 1992). One short of Sir Bobby Charlton’s record number of goals for England, he botched his showy penalty in a pre-Euro 1992 friendly at Wembley. Getty
  • Eric Cantona (Bordeaux v Beauvais, 1989). So much swagger, he juggled the ball all the way from halfway to the spot in a French Cup shoot out. Then his chip was so heroically limp in barely reached the goalline. Getty
    Eric Cantona (Bordeaux v Beauvais, 1989). So much swagger, he juggled the ball all the way from halfway to the spot in a French Cup shoot out. Then his chip was so heroically limp in barely reached the goalline. Getty
  • Sergio Aguero (Manchester City v Chelsea, 2021). Chipped the ball into Edouard Mendy’s hands, sparking a comeback which at least briefly delayed City’s inevitable Premier League title charge. Reuters
    Sergio Aguero (Manchester City v Chelsea, 2021). Chipped the ball into Edouard Mendy’s hands, sparking a comeback which at least briefly delayed City’s inevitable Premier League title charge. Reuters
  • Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia v Montenegro, 2018). Thrillingly prolific - except when attempting Panenkas. “I have no idea why I’ve done that,” he said, after ballooning his penalty over the bar. Reuters
    Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia v Montenegro, 2018). Thrillingly prolific - except when attempting Panenkas. “I have no idea why I’ve done that,” he said, after ballooning his penalty over the bar. Reuters
  • Ademola Lookman (Fulham v West Ham United, 2020). His horror effort cost his side vital points in the battle against relegation. “I couldn't even describe the devastation,” he later said of the incident. Getty
    Ademola Lookman (Fulham v West Ham United, 2020). His horror effort cost his side vital points in the battle against relegation. “I couldn't even describe the devastation,” he later said of the incident. Getty
Results

5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi

5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar

7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 390bhp

Torque: 400Nm

Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle

7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed

Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

'Brazen'

Director: Monika Mitchell

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler

Rating: 3/5

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

FIXTURES

All games 6pm UAE on Sunday: 
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Biog:

Age: 34

Favourite superhero: Batman

Favourite sport: anything extreme

Favourite person: Muhammad Ali 

The specs: 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 60kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed Electronic Precision Shift
Power: 204hp
Torque: 360Nm
​​​​​​​Range: 520km (claimed)

Results

Stage 7:

1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29

2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time

3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious

4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep

5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM

General Classification:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28

2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35

3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02

4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42

5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45

Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Wallabies

Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.

The specs

Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder

Power: 70bhp

Torque: 66Nm

Transmission: four-speed manual

Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000

On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970

Updated: December 07, 2022, 10:29 AM