SPAIN VS MOROCCO
Morocco will take to the field today with quarter-final dreams to face European giants Spain.
Morocco entered the pre-quarters as the top seed in Group F, which included giants like Belgium and Croatia. Meanwhile, Spain reached the knockout stage as runners-up behind Japan. The match will be played at the Education City Stadium at 8:30 PM IST. Spain's dominance on the ball is what sets it apart from the rest.
However, they lost to Japan in the final match. Today, with Morocco arriving as stronger opponents than Japan, one would think that Luis Enrique and co would approach the match. Morocco, on the other hand, is unbeaten in the group stage. Defeated mighty Belgium and tied Croatia. There is confidence in that as we prepare to face Spain today. Moroccan hopes are on players like Hakim Sayak, N Nasiri, Ashraf Hakimi and Nousair Masroy.
It remains to be seen how they will stop talented Spain. The winners of today's match will face the winners of the Portugal-Switzerland match in the quarter-finals. Anyway, let's wait and see.
WIN PROBABILITY
Spain :- 64%
Morocco :- 13%
Draw :- 23%
MATCH SCHEDULE
Date:- 6/12/2022
Time:- 8.30 PM (IST)
Venue:- Education City Stadium
INSIGHTS
1) This is the second World Cup meeting between Morocco and Spain - the first, in the group stages in 2018, saw Morocco take the lead twice and draw 2-2 before Iago Aspas scored a last-minute Spain equaliser.
2) Spain had never lost in their previous three meetings with Morocco (W2 D1), with both of their wins coming in the qualifying play-off legs for the 1962 World Cup in November 1961 (1-0 away, 3-2 home).
3) Spain was eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup, losing on penalties after a 1–1 draw against hosts Russia. They last progressed past this stage in 2010, winning the tournament that year.
4) Morocco is only appearing in the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second time, reaching the round of 16 in 1986, losing 1-0 to Germany that year.
5) Having played African teams five times before in the group stage, Spain is set to face an African team in a World Cup knockout match for the first time (W3 D1 L1). Nigeria beat the Spaniards in 1998, a 3-2 victory in a match where current manager Luis Enrique started for Spain.
