Morocco vs Spain: Morocco and Spain renew acquaintances…but this time only one can prevail
The round of 16 comes to its conclusion on Tuesday as Morocco and Spain battle for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals.
Walid Regragui’s men wrote their names in the history books by becoming the first African side to top their quartet since Nigeria did so back in 1998. Indeed, when the groupings were announced, many were quick to dismiss Morocco, believing that the Atlas Lions would be battling with Canada to avoid finishing last in the table while Belgium and Croatia would be the ones to go through. That’s despite ignoring an impressive streak that Morocco boasted coming into this competition – five games sans defeat – and along that time, Regragui’s side had conceded just once.
Well, Belgium showed that they indeed are a vastly overrated side as they were deservedly beaten 2-0 by Morocco on matchday two, and following a draw with Croatia, were dumped out of the competition. Morocco, meanwhile, topped their group following a hard-fought draw against Croatia, the aforementioned resounding win over Belgium, and another victory against Canada. They now are eight games unbeaten since losing 3-0 to the USA during a friendly back in June, and despite an own goal against Canada, they still will be fancying their chances against a Spain side who shockingly dropped points during a 2-1 loss to Japan.
This will be Morocco’s second time in the round of 16 – their first was back in 1986 – and unlike that time, when they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by West Germany, the North African nation will have hope at becoming only one of four African sides to book a spot in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Spain, who won the title back in 2010 but have had frustrating results at their last two World Cups, are looking to finally get their hands on what would be their first major title in a decade since winning EURO 2012. La Roja were humiliated in 2014, when, as reigning champions, they were dumped out at the group stage, while their journey came to a shock end in 2018 as they were somehow beaten by then-hosts Russia in the round of 16.
Luis Enrique’s side started their 2022 World Cup off with a bang, crushing Costa Rica 7-0 to announce their intentions for this competition. However, they seemed to take their foot off the gas, as they were held to a one-all stalemate against Germany, and were beaten 2-1 by Japan in their final match. In fact, were it not for their 7-0 hammering of Costa Rica, and had Germany done the same – or better – against Los Ticos in on matchday three, Spain, might have been actually eliminated from the contest outright.
Having survived that nervy scare, with Japan ironically doing them a favor by beating them, La Roja will look to regroup as they take on a Morocco side who, despite the gulf in experience at this competition, will not be playing with any fear. In addition, the pressure is firmly on the European giants as they will be hoping to avoid suffering what would be a third consecutive early World Cup exit since winning it back in 2010.
Interestingly, this meeting between Morocco and Spain will be a re-match of sorts, as the two sides faced off during the 2018 group stages. The result? A two-all draw, but Spain needed to come from behind to earn a point, and now, four years on, the two sides will renew acquaintances – except this time, a draw will not be enough.
Will Morocco, who have been very impressive, continue their journey into unchartered territory, and in doing so, make history? They remain the last real “underdog” side in this competition, with Senegal, Korea, and Japan, all being beaten by either European or South American opposition over the past few days.
Or will Spain recover from a shock loss last time out to reassert themselves and set up what would be a very intriguing clash possibly with Portugal in the quarter-finals?
