Morocco have navigated their way into the last-16 against the odds – having won a tricky group featuring Belgium and Croatia – though unfortunately for them they’ve still been handed a tough knockout tie against Spain.
They now face Spain in a Ding Dong battle to be played at the Education City Stadium.
Luis Enrique’s men could only come second in their Group E as Japan stunned them by finishing first – and Hakim Ziyech and Co will be confident that their esteemed opponents are beatable.
Morocco showed their counter-attacking quality to claim four points from games against Croatia and Belgium,
Morocco are featuring in the knockout stages of a World Cup for just the second time, having been beaten at this stage by West Germany in 1986.
The Atlas Lions are chasing a slice of history on Tuesday, when they could match the longest unbeaten run managed by an African side at the World Cup – currently Cameroon’s five-game sequence between 1982 and 1990.
Spain sent fear into their World Cup rivals by demolishing Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening clash, but since then they’ve stuttered as they drew 1-1 to Germany and then were beaten 2-1 by Japan.
Spain were on course to top Group E when Alvaro Morata headed an early opener on Wednesday, but goals from Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka helped the Samurai Blue leapfrog their opponents in stunning fashion.
For three incredible minutes, Spain even looked set to join Germany in making an early exit as Costa Rica briefly occupied second place.
Spain ultimately survived despite seeing their seven-match unbeaten run (excluding shoot-outs) at the World Cup halted, and Gavi says Tuesday’s game represents a chance to right some wrongs.
Spain completed 2,489 passes in their group-stage campaign, their most at a single tournament on record (since 1966), while their tally of 969 passes against Japan was a record for a losing team at the tournament.
Players to Watch
Morocco: Hakim Ziyech
While Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguerd are likely to be busy in the Morocco backline, Regragui’s men will carry a threat at the other end – chiefly through Chelsea creator Ziyech.
Ziyech has played more passes into the box (17) and created more chances (four) than any other Morocco player at the World Cup, as well as leading his team-mates for ball carries (43) and combined distance carried (477.6 metres).
While Ziyech’s counter-attacking prowess is clear, he also scored his first World Cup goal last time out, and the 29-year-old could be a thorn in Spain’s side.
Spain: Alvaro Morata
While Barcelona playmakers Gavi and Pedri have stolen the headlines for Spain in Qatar, fine margins can often decide knockout games – and Morata’s contribution could be key.
Though maligned by some, Morata has been consistent in front of goal at this tournament, hitting the net on each of his three appearances despite playing a total of just 126 minutes.
Morata started two of Spain’s three knockout games at Euro 2020 last year, and if he can reward Luis Enrique’s faith with another goal, he will join David Villa as just the second Spanish player to score in four consecutive World Cup matches.
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