Morocco’s national team remains the only African team still in contention at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and will be in action today against 2010 World Champions Spain.
Morocco is coming off an impressive group stage run, having started with a 0-0 draw against Croatia before beating highly rated Belgium 2-0 and finishing with a 2-1 win over Canada to finish first in Group F.
Spain, on the other hand, kicked off their campaign with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica and drew 1-1 with Germany before losing to Japan by a goal to progress as runners-up in Group E behind Japan.
The Atlas Lions and Spain have played each other three times and this will be their second meeting at the World Cup.
The two first met during the CAF-UEFA qualification for the 1962 World Cup, when Spain won the first-leg tie 1-0 in Morocco and won the second leg 3-2 to advance to the tournament.
They last met at the 2018 Russia World Cup in the group stage, with the match ending in a 2-2 draw.
Key match stats via FIFA
- The last time Spain progressed beyond the Round of 16 was at South Africa 2010 when they went on to win the tournament
- This is Morocco’s second time in the Round of 16, their first coming in 1986 when they lost to eventual finalists West Germany 1-0.
- This will be Spain’s first match against African opposition in the knockout stages of a World Cup
- Spain have played five matches against African sides at World Cups, winning three and drawing one. Current coach Luis Enrique was in the starting XI when they lost 3-2 against Nigeria at France 1998.
- Morocco are undefeated in their past four World Cup matches (W2 D2)
- Cameroon are the only African side to have recorded a five-match unbeaten World Cup run, a feat they achieved between 1982 and 1990
PREDICTION, BETTING TIP, AND ODDS
On paper, Spain appears to be the better team and has an advantage heading into this match, but the story on the field could be different because the Moroccans are also a good team with a number of top-class stars and they showed what they can do in the group stage. TRY DOUBLE CHANCE 12@ 1.24 FOR EITHER TEAM TO WIN.
