bluesfan94
Registered User
Teams: Morocco v. Spain
Time and Date (CST): Tuesday, December 6, 9:00 AM
Venue: Education City Stadium
Storyline: These cross-strait rivals are another matchup that some predicted but not on this half of the bracket, much like the other E v. F Round of 16 match. Like Japan, many predicted that Morocco would be going home - if not finishing last - in a group featuring two strong European nations in Belgium and Croatia as well as CONCACAF's top qualifier, Canada. And Morocco's performances may have reflected that; Morocco did not win a single game in the xG battle. Morocco did win where it counts, however. In their first match, they earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Croatia, before going into a matchup with the Belgian Red Devils. Two second-half goals, including the last in stoppage time, gave The Atlas Lions an upset victory and set up a final matchday situation where a result would see Morocco through. Morocco jumped out to an early lead on a horrific gaffe by Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, a lead that was doubled in the 20th minute. A 40th minute own goal gave Canada life, and Canada was inches away from an equalizer that thudded off the crossbar and then down onto the goal line. Morocco held on, and results elsewhere ensured that the they topped the group.
Spain, on the other hand, had progressively worse results throughout the group stage. They began with a 7-0 dismantling of Costa Rica, a match which had many elevate a young Spanish team to tournament favorites. However, their second match featured a fun battle with Germany. The teams went into the half without a goal before Spanish striker Alvaro Morata scored a goal. Germany's first equalizing effort was ruled out by VAR, but a late goal by Niclas Fullkrug deadlocked the match. On a wild last matchday for Group E, Morata scored early for Spain, who went into halftime topping the group and holding a 1-0 lead. However, the second half brought drama. Japan scored two quick goals, in the 48th and 51st minute, knocking Spain to second. Then, in the Costa Rica-Germany match up, a 58th minute Costa Rican equalizer added some nerves, as Spain would go home with a Costa Rica win and a Spanish loss. Costa Rica went up with a 70th minute goal, leading to an intense flurry by Spain. Still, they could not break down Japan's defense, and ended up losing 2-1. Luckily for Spain, Germany stormed back, winning their matchup with Costa Rica 4-2, advancing Spain through to the Round of 16.
This will be the 4th time these nations meet, despite the countries' proximity. Spain has never lost to Morocco, winning twice in 1961 to qualify for the 1962 World Cup. The two teams met in the most recent World Cup's group stage, a match ending in a 2-2 draw on a 90th minute Iago Aspas equalizer.
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