News
Live updates: Spain vs Morocco and other World Cup news and highlights
Spain is getting into its spherical of 16 match towards Morocco instantly after a shock defeat to an Asian nation – a 2-1 loss to Japan – within the group levels.
The 2 sides have performed one another thrice since 1961, however their rivalry stretches past soccer outcomes and into their shared historical past which has usually been marked by battle.
On the soccer area, La Roja Fuera started this event with a dominant, complete 7-0 victory over Costa Rica, nevertheless it fought to a 1-1 draw with Germany and misplaced to Japan, finally qualifying for the knockout levels in a rare finale to Group E.
“I’m not pleased in any respect. Sure, we have now certified, I’d have favored to be on prime of successful this recreation. This was not possible as a result of, in 5 minutes, Japan scored two objectives … we had been out, we had been dismantled,” head coach Luis Enrique stated after the loss to Japan, in keeping with Reuters.
In an odd coincidence, nonetheless, the defeat meant that Spain certified because the group runner-up and arguably completed with a neater potential path to the semifinals, avoiding 2018 finalist Croatia within the spherical of 16 and a attainable quarterfinal towards five-time champion Brazil.
Morocco, nonetheless, has impressed thus far at this World Cup, holding Croatia to a scoreless draw, defeating Canada and, most notably of all, defeating Belgium – the No. 2 ranked aspect on the earth.
These outcomes ensured that it progressed to the spherical of 16 for the primary time since 1986, whereas its head coach Walid Regragui turned the primary Arab coach to information a crew to the knockout levels.
“We stated we wished to offer every thing we’ve received to get out of the group levels,” stated Regragui, in keeping with the Guardian. “We are able to tick that field now. So why not purpose for the sky?”