Morocco - Spain: Africa's Last Hope
* Morocco - Spain: 10pm today, on MetaSports.
In the same group as the defending runner-up Croatia and Belgium - the second-placed team in FIFA, Morocco shocked when it took the top of the table after three matches - an achievement that no African country has achieved in the 21st century. from the reasonable play that coach Walid Regragui applied to "Lion Atlas".
Although only in power for more than three months, the 47-year-old military leader has created the necessary revolution in the Moroccan dressing room after so many problems left by his predecessor Vahid Halilhodzic. One of them is Regragui's recall of key players such as Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui to optimize the attack power of the 4-3-3 formation he built for Morocco.
Considered a conservative coach, Regragui rarely changes the main kicker. In three Group F matches - World Cup 2022, the African representative only adjusted the starting lineup once, when Abdelhamid Sabiri replaced Selim Amallah in midfield in the last leg. Morocco impresses with its physical pressing style and high-speed counter-attack, in addition to a solid defense when only one goal has been conceded.
Ziyech is the number one inspiration in the play of this North African team. With 17 passes into the box and four chances created for his teammates - more than any of his Morocco teammates in Qatar this year, the 29-year-old striker and Achraf Hakimi created the dominant attack on the right flank. Ziyech also often dropped deep to support the midfield when developing the ball. The Chelsea player made 43 dribbling attempts in the group stage with a distance of 477.6 metres. Three of Morocco's four goals have come from Ziyech's flank.
When asked by Marca about how to deal with one of the phenomena in Qatar, midfielder Gavi said Spain will still be loyal to the controlling style and learn from the defeat against Japan. "The whole team is focused on the next match with the ultimate goal of winning the championship," Barca midfielder said. "Through Spain's performance over the years, we believe the team can do it."
Four years ago in Russia, Spain was eliminated by the home team in the round of 16 in a penalty shootout. But Spain has never lost twice in a row at this round through the World Cups. There was a time when coach Luis Enrique's team faced the risk of being eliminated in the last match, but Germany's overall victory over Costa Rica helped La Roja take second place in Group E. In a loss to Japan 1- 1 2, Spain also set a record of 969 passes - the most for a team to lose a World Cup match.
As for Morocco, the next match will be the second time they reach the 1/8 round. In the first time in 1986, the African representative lost to West Germany 0-1. The biggest worry with Morocco is currently Hakimi's health when the defender injured his ankle in the 2-1 win over Canada and has to wait for the medical department to confirm his eligibility to play today. Morocco is on a four-match unbeaten run at the World Cup and will catch up with an African delegate's undefeated circuit record if it beats Spain.
At the pre-match press conference, coach Regragui said his team is aiming high at this tournament. "We want to achieve the same results as the representatives from Europe and South America," the 47-year-old said. "That will be the driving force of Morocco in the next match."
Except for Cesar Azpilicueta who is not sure about his fitness, Spain has the strongest squad to face Morocco. In three encounters with the North African team, the 2010 World Cup champion won two and drew one. According to Stats Performance, Spain's pre-match win rate is 61.3%, while Morocco's ability to surprise is 14.7%. There are 24% of the two teams will drag each other into extra time as well as penalty shootouts.
A win at Education City today will make Africa's sole remaining representative at the 2020 World Cup to become the continent's fourth team to reach the quarterfinals, after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana. (2010).
