The last-16 match between Morocco and Spain for the 2022 World Cup will take place on Tuesday in the afternoon at the Education City Stadium. By placing second in Group E, La Roja matched their African counterparts, who had won Group F after defeating Croatia and Belgium....CONTINUE READING
Morocco shocked everyone by winning Group F with seven points out of a possible nine, taking full advantage of Croatia and Belgium’s golden generation’s lackluster performances.
Even though Croatia and Walid Regragui’s team drew 0-0, they were praised for their performance. Then, after swift victories against Belgium and Canada, they joined Senegal as the only other African nations still standing in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Youssef En-Nesyri put the finishing touches on a long-range goal by Hakim Ziyech in the fourth minute of their matchday three match against Canada before a Nayef Aguerd own goal gave the Canadians a remote opportunity.
Morocco has only ever reached this stage of a tournament once before, in 2022. In 1986, when they were eliminated in the round of 16, the Atlas Lions fought back to earn the three points necessary to advance as group champions.
The current winning streak for Regragui’s squad spans eight games across all competitions, during which time they have only allowed two goals. Their four-game unbeaten streak at the World Cup is only equaled by Cameroon’s five between 1982 and 1990, and they can equal that and hope to become the first Moroccan team to go to the quarterfinals.
Morocco expected starting lineup:
Bono; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Sahiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Achraf Hakimi, who provided a great assist for En-Nesyri’s goal, has minor ankle problems, but everyone expects him to be in fine physical shape. The right-back for Paris Saint-Germain was one of several starters who did not take part in all of Saturday’s practice, though.
