Spain vs Morocco match preview: World Cup 2022 round of 16

The winners of Tuesday’s conflict to face both Portugal or Switzerland within the quarter-finals.

Morocco have reached the final 16 for less than the second time of their historical past [File: Carl Recine/Reuters]

Who: Spain vs Morocco
The place: Training Metropolis Stadium
When: December 6, 6pm (15:00 GMT)

Spain head into Tuesday’s last-16 conflict in opposition to Morocco as favourites however the Atlas Lions will sense that they will pull off an upset after an electrifying begin to their World Cup marketing campaign.

The Spaniards, who humbled Costa Rica 7-0 of their opening recreation, finally completed second in Group E behind Japan following a shock 2-1 loss to the Samurai Blue – a end result that additionally despatched four-time champions Germany tumbling out of the event.

Morocco, in the meantime, defied the chances to high Group F forward of Croatia and Belgium and at the moment are making their second-ever look within the knockout section.

They're the one Arab crew left standing within the competitors and can get pleasure from important help on the Training Metropolis Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Coach Walid Regragui’s strategy thus far has targeted on defending deep and capitalising on alternatives to punish opponents on the counterattack.

Central to his facet’s technique is Hakim Ziyech, who returned to the nationwide crew when Regragui took over from Vahid Halilhodžić in August. An earlier dispute between Ziyech and Halilhodžić had led to the mercurial winger being axed from the facet.

Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech, seen right here within the fame in opposition to Belgium, shall be central to his crew’s possibilities in opposition to Spain on Tuesday on the FIFA World Cup 2022 [File: Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

His creativity gives Morocco with its most potent attacking menace however it's their resolute defensive play that has attracted plaudits.

The aim they conceded to Canada throughout their 2-1 victory of their remaining Group F encounter was the primary in Regragui’s six-game reign.

Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, mentioned the crew had already “made historical past” by reaching the final 16 however mentioned it needed to realize “extra” but.

“Spain will drive us to be at our greatest,” Bounou instructed reporters on Sunday.

“[But] we're totally ready. We now have received higher and higher with every passing recreation, and I’m certain we’ll be in fine condition,” he added. “We need to make our individuals comfortable.”

Spain to stay to ‘soccer philosophy’

Spain, for his or her half, might want to produce a much-improved efficiency from the defeat to Japan of their final outing.

La Roja placed on a masterclass in passing in the course of the first 45 minutes of that recreation however made defensive blunders within the second half which noticed coach Luis Enrique’s males concede twice in six minutes. They solely averted exiting the event altogether on account of a superior aim distinction to Germany.

Spain dominated possession in opposition to Japan however defensive blunders price them the sport [File: Susana Vera/Reuters]

Midfielder turned-centre again Rodri mentioned his facet won't change their tiki-taka strategy simply due to the loss however had targeted on studying from their errors.

“We now have learnt from our errors, and we are going to attempt to keep away from them, however we're not going to vary our soccer fashion for these errors … it isn't good to vary our soccer philosophy. We are going to follow that,” Rodri instructed reporters on Sunday.

He additionally promised to not take Morocco, ranked 15 locations under the 2010 champions, calmly.

“[They are] one of many high groups in Africa. So, I feel they're a really, very sturdy crew,” Rodri mentioned. “You'll be able to see the names they've there, the gamers they've with high quality, with energy. I feel it’s going to be very, very powerful.”

Tuesday’s fixture will mark the second time Spain and Morocco have performed in opposition to each other at a World Cup.

Their earlier assembly got here in 2018, when the perimeters drew 2-2 throughout a bunch stage encounter.

The winner of this week’s conflict will face both Portugal or Switzerland on December 10.