From @reuterspictures: Top moments from Day 16 of the #FIFAWorldCup in Qatar. Brazil thrash Korea 4-1 while Croatia beat Japan in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarter-finals pic.twitter.com/1EWL4lZWHF
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 6, 2022
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has distributed around a total of 11.5k tickets to Moroccans with a passport or ID card, following a crisis surrounding the lack of tickets for Morocco 🇲🇦 vs Spain 🇪🇸 match.
Moroccans are one of the most present fans in the World Cup 2022. pic.twitter.com/aIPmCXdk1i
— Africa View Facts (@AfricaViewFacts) December 5, 2022
SportsMole:
The penultimate World Cup 2022 last-16 battle takes place at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, as Morocco pit their wits against Spain.
La Roja finished second in Group E to set up a tie with their African counterparts, who fended off Croatia and Belgium to finish first in Group F.
With the golden generation of Belgium under-performing and 2018 runners-up Croatia struggling to find a consistent attacking spark, Morocco took full advantage to claim a surprising first-placed finish in Group F with seven points from nine on offer.
Even in their goalless draw with Croatia, the plaudits largely went to Walid Regragui’s men, who followed that point up with successive wins over Belgium and Canada to become one of only two African teams in the last 16 of the World Cup – the other being Senegal…
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.
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.
Morocco and Spain will be locking horns in the World Cup four years on from meeting in the group stages in Russia, where La Roja were indebted to a late Iago Aspas equaliser in a 2-2 draw, and a similarly close contest should be on the menu at the Education City Stadium.
Alison Rose
Come on, Morocco! :D
dr. bloor
Well, Moroccan men are present, anyways.
Omnes Omnibus
Morocco was pretty solid in the first half.
JML
This is why I don’t like Spain (in world cup). 70% possession and doing nothing with it.
Paul in KY
@dr. bloor: Good point!
Alison Rose
Damn, that was a good opportunity. Too bad Morocco couldn’t capitalize.
Alison Rose
Does Spain understand that the game is won by goals, not possession?
West of the Cascades
@Alison Rose: Spain is ungodly boring here. Really hoping for Morocco to punish them (it also would be nice to have a final eight that are not Argentina, Brazil, and European countries, although Spain-Portugal would be intriguing).
Alison Rose
@West of the Cascades: It’s almost like they’re hoping for extra time. Where they will spend another 30 playing lazy hot potato with the ball and just go to PKs.
Alison Rose
Gahhhhhhh
Alison Rose
I can’t even imagine how tired some of these guys are at this point. Hoping Morocco can find a breakthrough in extra time.
West of the Cascades
@Alison Rose: The Soccer Gods are scowling at Spain’s tactics. 74% of possession, seven shots, only one shot on goal. Grrrrr. Morocco also have one shot on goal (four total). Yawn, but due more to Spain.
West of the Cascades
@Alison Rose: Oof – Spain still has three substitutions left, Morocco only the one additional one for extra time. Four of Morocco’s subs came on at 82′ or 84′ so should still have fresh-ish legs. Go Morocco!!
Alison Rose
@West of the Cascades: Yeah, I was surprised Morocco used so many, knowing it was likely heading for extra 30, but true that those players will have more energy.
Alison Rose
I just nearly clawed my face off.
Alison Rose
JFC
West of the Cascades
Yaaaaaaaaaaaahhhggggghhhhh
Alison Rose
The possession stat I’d like to see is how much possession the pitch has had of the Spain players’ asses.
phdesmond
@Alison Rose: 74% spanish possession, sez guardian.
Alison Rose
@phdesmond: Read my comment again :P
JML
@West of the Cascades: this is why i can’t stand watching Spain. they’re so skilled, but are satisfied to dink around, do nothing with possession, and wait for the other team to get fed up with it? Feh.
Alison Rose
Ooooh boy
phdesmond
@Alison Rose: har har!
scuze my first hasty reading.
Alison Rose
@phdesmond: no prob :)
JML
OMG, can Morocco pull this out in the shootout?!?
tension!!!!
Alison Rose
wowwwwwww
Alison Rose
YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
Alison Rose
Damn, I hope the Moroccan keeper gets so laid tonight. What a fucking performance!
JML
Morocco is THROUGH!!!! unbelieveable.
West of the Cascades
Brilliant. Beautiful. Cheeky penalty to send Morocco on. Keeper is the hero. Soccer Gods punish Spain’s cynical play!!
Paul in KY
Magnificent keeper performance! Hicham El Guerrouj move over, there’s a new Star of Morocco!
Paul in KY
Also, I saw at least 3 women cheering for Morocco!
cmorenc
Nothing’s a sure thing until it’s a thing. And Spain v Portugal isn’t a thing, and Portugal hasn’t yet made it a thing quite yet, either.
I have fond memories of the one time I was in Morocco for better part of a week back in 1977, albeit that was a long time ago.