DOHA, Qatar (AP) December,6 – Morocco takes on Spain and Portugal takes on Switzerland for the final two spots in the quarter-finals on Tuesday’s final day of the World Cup’s round of 16.
The result will be decided on the pitch, but the match between Spain and Morocco will be played against the backdrop of the long and complicated relationship between his two border nations, separated by the Strait of Gibraltar.
As neighbouring countries, there are links between the two teams, with many of Morocco’s players speaking Spanish and the team’s medical staff Spanish.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yasin Bunou and striker Youssef En Nesyri both play for Spain’s Sevilla, while right-back Achraf Hakimi is a Paris Saint-Germain player who was born in Madrid and coached by Waleed Legragi. played for Racing Santander in Spain.
The teams also met in the final group match of 2018 at the World Cup just four years ago, drawing 2-2. As Morocco advanced in this tournament, the national team attracted fans at home as well as fans in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia in Doha as the last Arab side still playing.
“Everybody wants to go to Doha,” said Legraghi, who became coach in August. “We were able to fill two stadiums.”
Morocco is looking to secure the top spot in the quarter-finals. The Atlas Lions led Group F with a draw against Croatia, followed by wins over Belgium and Canada to reach the stage by knockout for the first time since 1986.
The last time Morocco made it this far in the tournament, the current squad didn’t produce a single player from him. Their performance in Qatar was a source of national pride. Spain kicked off the World Cup with a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica followed by a 1-1 draw against Germany. His 2–1 loss to Japan in the final group match was tense as La Roja’s fate was swayed in advancing to the next round as other outcomes also hinged.
The loss to Japan put Spain on its seven-game unbeaten streak, which caught the attention of the players.
Spain also faced Morocco in the team’s final group match of 2018, finishing 2-2.
Morocco hopes to equal the longest unbeaten record by its side in Africa at the World Cup, a record set by Cameroon who achieved its five-game unbeaten streak between 1982 and his 1990. I am aiming. “We didn’t just come to say, ‘Oh, it’s almost here,'” Legraghi said. “Like all the teams in Europe and South America, we have to deliver results. We have to emulate them.”
If Sergio Busquets plays for Spain, he would break the national team’s World Cup record with 17 appearances set by Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
There are rumours that Ronaldo could join the Saudi Arabian club for an astronomical amount after Manchester United’s split. indicated that fans in his home country didn’t even want him on the national team. Portugal coach Fernando Santos says he is unfazed by polls and decisions Ronaldo may make regarding his club career. I’m used to the distraction of having giants around.
