Morocco took full advantage of the underwhelming play of Belgium's golden generation and Croatia, last year's runners-up, to surprise everyone by finishing first in Group F with seven points out of a possible nine. Walid Regragui's team received praise even for their goalless draw with Croatia. They then defeated Belgium and Canada in quick succession to join Senegal as the only other African teams left in the World Cup's round of 16. In the fourth minute of their matchday three match against Canada, Hakim Ziyech capitalized on a mistake by Milan Borjan to score a long-range goal, and Youssef En-Nesyri added the finishing touch before a Nayef Aguerd own goal gave the Canadians a slim chance. The 2022 tournament will represent only the second time that Morocco has advanced this far; in 1986, they were ousted in the round of 16, but the Atlas Lions clung on for the three points that would send them through to the knockout stages as group champions. Regragui's team is currently riding the wave of an eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, during which they have only given up two goals. They are aiming to become the first Moroccan team to reach the quarterfinals and they may also break African history, as their four-game unbeaten streak at the World Cup is only surpassed by Cameroon's five between 1982 and 1990.

Luis Enrique did not pull any punches as his side failed to hang on to a one-goal lead against Japan on the final matchday in Group E, where Alvaro Morata's 11th-minute opener ultimately counted for very little against Hajime Moriyasu and his perennial super subs. Unai Simon let a long-range effort from Ritsu Doan seep through his gloves as Japan restored parity three minutes after the restart, and only three minutes later, Ao Tanaka prodded home the winner after Kaoru Mitoma had only just managed to keep the ball in play. Many an argument was had over whether Mitoma had prevented the whole of the ball from going over the whole of the line, but the scoreline in the top left-hand corner was the only statistic that mattered, as Spain dropped to second in Group E and only bested Germany on goal difference. Had La Roja placed first in the section, they would be tackling Croatia in the last 16, so finishing as runners-up may be seen as a blessing in disguise by some, but Enrique is under no illusions as to how difficult Today's match will be. Spain were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup in the last 16, but they have never suffered back-to-back exits at this point of the competition, and their tally of nine goals in the group stage was the joint-highest alongside England.

Scores : Morocco 1 vs Spain 1

Image:(Khel Now)