Sports Mole preview Tuesday’s World Cup clash between Morocco and Spain, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
The second to last World Cup 2022 The round of 16 takes place on Tuesday afternoon at Education City Stadium Morocco pit their wits against Spain.
La Roja finished second in Group E, creating a tie with their African counterparts who fended off Croatia and Belgium to take first place in Group F.
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While Belgium’s golden generation are underperforming and 2018 runners-up Croatia are struggling to find a consistent attacking spark, Morocco are using their advantage to take a surprise first place in Group F with seven points from nine up for grabs.
Even in the goalless draw with Croatia, the applause was largely overwhelming Walid Regraguiwho followed that point with back-to-back victories over Belgium and Canada to become one of only two African sides in the last 16 World Championship – the other is Senegal.
During their Matchday 3 encounter with Canada Hakim Ziyech took advantage of a blunder Milan Borjan chipping the Canucks goalie from afar in the fourth minute and Youssef En-Nesyri put the icing on the cake before a Nayef Aguerd Own goal gave the Canadians a small glimmer of hope.
However, the Atlas Lions held on to the three points that would take them through to the knockout rounds as group winners, and the 2022 tournament is only the second time Morocco have come that far, having been eliminated in the last 16 in 1986.
On a streak of eight games unbeaten in all competitions – during which time they have conceded just two goals – Regragui’s men are now keen to become the first Moroccan side to reach the quarters and they could also add to continental history. for their streak of four unbeaten matches at the World Cup can only be beaten by Cameroon’s five of all African nations between 1982 and 1990.
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Luis Enrique couldn’t fight back as his side failed to maintain a one-goal lead against Japan on the final day of Group E play Alvaro MorataThe start in the 11th minute counted very little against it Hajime Moriyasu and his eternal super subs.
Unai Simon skip a ranged fight Ritsu Doan seeped through his gloves as Japan restored parity three minutes into the restart and just three minutes later, Ao Tanaka pushed home the winner Kaoru Mitoma just managed to keep the ball in play.
There was much debate as to whether Mitoma had prevented the entire ball from going the entire line, but the goal line in the top left corner was the only stat that mattered as Spain fell back to second place in Group E and defeated Germany only on goal difference.
Had La Roja finished first in the group they would be up against Croatia in the Round of 16 so second place might be seen as a blessing in disguise by some but Enrique has no illusions about how difficult Tuesday’s game will be .
Spain were knocked out in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup, but they have never been eliminated back-to-back at this point in the competition and their nine-goal tally in the group stage was the highest alongside England.
Morocco and Spain will meet at the World Cup four years after their group stage clash in Russia, where La Roja suffered a delay Iago Aspas Equalization in a 2-2 draw and a similarly close duel should be on the agenda at Education City Stadium.
World Cup form Morocco:
Morocco form (all competitions):
Spain World Cup form:
Spain form (all competitions):
Team News
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Morocco number one Yassine Bounouwho felt unwell just before defeating Belgium and had to retire at the last second, played the full 90 minutes against Canada and expects to be part of an untouched eleven.
Achraf Hakimi – who set up En-Nesyris’ goal beautifully – is expected to be fit despite suffering from some ankle problems, but the Paris Saint-Germain right-back was one of several starters not risked in full training on Saturday.
people like Ziyech, Sofian Amrabat and Sofiane Boufal also got a well-deserved rest but there is nothing to suggest the trio won’t get the green light for Tuesday’s game.
As for Spain, Enrique was without the trio of Dani Olmo, David Raya and Cesar Azpilicueta in Friday practice, although the former was only believed rested after a grueling group stage.
However, Azpilicueta – who was substituted at half-time against Japan – is struggling with calf pain while the reasons for Raya’s absence are yet to be explained but Simon was always expected to get the gloves despite his mistake last time out.
Enrique didn’t shy away from giving starts to the aspiring duo Niko Williams and Alejandro Balde against Japan, but Ferran Torres and Jordy Alba expects to return to the first starting XI for the knockout stages.
Morocco possible starting line-up:
bono; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Sahiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Spain possible starting line-up:
Simon; Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Gavi; Torres, Morata, Olmo
We say: Morocco 1-2 Spain (aet)
Morocco will need to use every inch of their recent defensive resilience if they aim to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, and Regragui’s attackers should also benefit from La Roja’s weaknesses in defense against Japan.
When they get going Spain are a real force to be reckoned with in the final third too and an extensive list of attacking options on the bench could end up making the difference for Enrique’s side if the teams don’t get separated after 90 minutes be able.
For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.
top tip
Our expert Tipster partners at Sporita.com predict over 1.5 goals in this game. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and for more of their tried and true football tips.Above 1.5: data