Morocco and Spain are there in eighth finals at the 2022 World Cup. The Moroccans surprisingly finished in first place in a group with Belgium and Croatia, while the Spaniards threw away group wins in the final group game. In this preview, we look ahead to the Morocco – Spain match. In it we provide you with our prediction, betting tip and corresponding odds.
Morocco World Cup 2022 – Latest Team News and Statistics.
It’s been a dream World Cup for Morocco so far. The country crowned itself group winner, beating Croatia, Belgium and Canada all in the process. It is the first time in 36 years that the Moroccans have managed to survive the group stage of a World Cup. The last time that happened was in 1986.
Morocco is still undefeated at this World Cup, as it won twice in the group and played one draw. In the first group game, the Moroccans were stuck at a 0-0 draw against Croatia. After that, they won against Belgium and Canada.
Former premier league players Zakaria Aboukhlal and Hakim Ziyech already grabbed an important role by scoring in the group stage. Ziyech has been a base player since his return to the national team and Aboukhlal has only had to make do with substitutions so far.
Spain World Cup 2022 – Latest Team News and Statistics.
Spain’s World Cup has been very shaky. The 2010 world champion opened the tournament with a huge outlier: a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica. One game later, the Spaniards again played strong at times against Germany, especially in the first half. Yet that game ended in a 1-1 draw.
With four points in their pocket, Spain could finish it off against Japan, but like Germany, Luis Enrique’s team also lost to the Japanese. Thus, not Spain, but Japan became group winners. So for Morocco, this seems like an unfortunate outcome, as Japan is a lesser opponent on paper.
Álvaro Morata is a co-top scorer at this tournament. Spain’s striker has accounted for three goals so far. The battle is far from over, as there are still four players on three: Cody Gakpo, Enner Valencia, Kylian Mbappé and Marcus Rashford.
Morocco – Spain previous encounters
Morocco and Spain met at the previous World Cup. Back then in the group stage. That made for a match rich in goals. Morocco took a 0-1 lead after fourteen minutes of play through a goal by Khalid Boutaib, but four minutes later it was level again through a Spanish goal by Isco.
In the closing stages, Morocco thought it could take the game to itself, as Youssef En-Nesyri helped his country to a 1-2 lead in the 81st minute. Moments later, in the 90th minute, it was Spain again that equalized. This time it was Iago Aspas who made it. Thus, the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Spain, World Cup 2022 Betting Tip & Odds
Spain started the World Cup with a huge victory, but then performed shakily. Morocco plays good soccer and has shown that it can also hold its own against the bigger countries. We therefore expect an evenly matched match in which both countries will have chances. Our prediction is that both teams will score. This betting tip yields a odds of 5/4.
- Tip: Both teams score
- Odds: 5/4 at bookmaker Unibet
- Risk assessment: Medium
- Recommended stake: 5/10