MAROCO – SPAIN | Tuesday 4pm
In the “craziest” round of Qatar 2022 there was a moment when Spain even risked being eliminated. Three minutes to be exact, with Japan having sensationally completed their comeback and, in the other match being played at the same time, Germany had gone down with Costa Rica.
The Germans then went on the offensive, as was to be expected. But Luis Enrique’s Roja had a tough time of it, finishing as runners-up in a group they looked set to dominate after their 7-0 win over the Costa Ricans in the opener. One win, one draw and one defeat: that was the balance sheet of the Red Furies, who went through a slight downsizing along the way. Paradoxically, however, Spain found themselves on the ‘right’ side of the scoreboard despite being overtaken by the Japanese. There were also those who made accusations of ‘cookie-cutter’, but in those absurd last 90 minutes it was really complicated to make calculations. While the Japanese will face Croatia, with the prospect of meeting Brazil in the quarters, Morata and his teammates will face the surprising Morocco in the round of 16. And in case of passage to the round it will be one between Portugal and Switzerland who will try to bar their way to the semifinals with one between England and France. Spain are therefore approaching the knockout phase with high expectations – they are still one of the favourites despite their misstep against Japan – but the fact that they have only managed to pick up one point in their last two matches raises some concerns.
Even Luis Enrique himself is aware of this, and he was not at all pleased with his side’s performance last Thursday, empty-handed despite total dominance in possession (over 80%) and around twice as many shots on goal as their opponents.
A solid and compact Morocco
En-Nesyri
The selection led by Walid Regragui amazed everyone, consecrating themselves as the great surprise of this World Cup together with the aforementioned Japan. It is a team that is complete in every department, but above all has a solid, European-style playing structure, historically a sort of Achilles’ heel for African national teams. Morocco defends very well, does so in an orderly manner and is very good on the counter-attacks. In front, then, there is no lack of quality with a player of superlative technique like Hakim Ziyech, one of the main protagonists of the Qatari adventure of the Lions of the Atlas, who have not played a round of 16 since 1986.
In the group stage, Morocco conceded just one goal – an own goal, moreover – and finished with the best defence along with Brazil, Croatia, the USA, Holland and Tunisia. Those scored, on the other hand, are four in total: after the 0-0 on the opening day against Croatia, the North Africans beat Belgium 2-0 and on the last day 2-1 the already eliminated Canada. Results that allowed them to take first place in a group where qualification was initially expected to be the preserve of Belgium and Croatia.
Morocco-Spain: latest line-up news
Best possible eleven for Regragui’s Morocco, who will re-propose the 4-3-3 already seen at work on matchday two against Belgium. In front it will be Ziyech and Boufal’s turn to support Sevilla’s centre-forward En-Nesyri, while in midfield the selector should once again put his faith in the Sampdorian Sabiri, in preference to Ounahi. There is no problem for the Psg outfielder Hakimi, who had suffered an ankle problem after the match against Canada and did not take part in Saturday’s training session.
Luis Enrique will be back with a nueve player like Morata, who has already scored three goals in his first three matches. The former Juventus man will play in the centre of the trident between Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo. In the middle, Gavi and Pedri will keep company with the experienced Busquets, the fulcrum of this selection. In defence there will still be space for Carvajal and Rodri.
The prediction
The gap narrows after the group stage. Those who have the best chance of passing the round is obviously Spain, the team with the most quality and dribbling ability. But Morocco, one of the brightest surprises of Qatar 2022, may prove to be a tougher bone than expected. Especially if Roja, as against Japan, will struggle in the scoring phase. And piercing a solid and organised defence such as Morocco’s will not be a foregone conclusion. Both should find the way of goal on at least one occasion, and it would not be surprising if the challenge dragged on into extra time.
Morocco v Spain matchday squad
- MOROcco (4-3-3): Bono; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
- SPAGNA (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Jordi Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Gavi; Ferran Torres, Morata, Dani Olmo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
