2022 FIFA World Cup: Morocco vs Spain — Preview, Team News, Kickoff Time, Probable XI, TV Channels to watch and more

The next-to-last 2022 World Cup round of 16 clash comes off at the Education City Stadium this afternoon (Tuesday), as Morocco will be going knee-to-knee with Spain in the global showpiece - four years on from meeting in the group stages in Russia, where La Roja nipped in a late Iago Aspas equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

Atlas Lions ended their 36-years of not being able to progress to the knockout stage of the mundial, thanks to a great performance in Group F which resulted in them finishing the group as leaders.


Walid Regragui's team are unbeaten in their last four World Cup (2W, 2D) matches and could become the first African country, after Cameroon in 1990, as they went five straight games unbeaten at the World Cup.


Morocco's success at the mundial this year has been built on their bulwark defence which conceded only one goal in all their Group F matches.


Spain finished second in Group E to set up a tie with the Atlas Lions, who beat Croatia and Belgium to finish first in Group F.


Had Spain topped their group, they would be facing Croatia in the round of 16, but finishing as runners-up may be seen as a blessing in disguise by some football fanatics, but La Roja boss - Enrique is under no illusions as to how difficult today's match will be.


La Roja were booted out from the 2018 World Cup in the last 16, but they have never suffered back-to-back exits at this point of the tournament, and their tally of nine goals in the group stage was the joint-highest alongside England.


TEAM NEWS

Morocco boss Walid Regragui could name an untouched starting XI. Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi is expected to be fit despite nursing an ankle problem.


The likes of Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat and Sofiane Boufal were also granted a well-earned rest, but there is nothing to suggest that the trio will not be given the green light for today's showdown.


On the other hand, Enrique was without the trio of Dani Olmo, David Raya and Cesar Azpilicueta in Friday's training session, although the former was just believed to have been rested after a brutal group stage.


Azpilicueta and Brentford goalkeeper Raya will be available for the contest according to Enrique, but Simon will manned the post despite his error last time out.


Enrique was glad to hand starts to the up-and-coming duo of Nico Williams and Alejandro Balde against Japan, but Ferran Torres and Jordi Alba might return to the first XI.


PROBABLE XI

Morocco: Bono; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Sahiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal

Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Gavi; Torres, Morata, Olmo


MATCH OFFICIALS

Center Referee: Fernando Rapallini (Argentina)

Assistant 1: Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)

Assistant 2: Diego Bonfa (Argentina)

Fourth Official: Raphael Claus (Brazil)

Video Assistant Referee: Mauro Vigilano (Argentina) 

Assistant Video Assistant Referees: Nicolas Gallo (Colombia)


CHANNEL: Kickgh.com, StarTimes, GTVSports+, Globe TV, ETV, SuperSport,


KICKOFF: 15:00 GMT (3:00pm)


By: Pascal Nii Gogo Amoah