Morocco seeking debut FIFA World Cup appearance in quarterfinals as they take on Spain.

Having finished at the top of Group F, the Atlas Lions take on La Roja in this round-of-16 clash, looking to make their debut appearance in the quarterfinals at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Morocco vs. Spain kicks off at 16:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, December 6, at the Education City Stadium.

Morocco surprised onlookers by finishing at the top of Group F with 7 points, following a 2-1 win over Canada on Thursday. Goals from Hakim Ziyech (4’) and Youssef En-Nesyri (23’) saw Ousud Al-atlas bag their second win at the group stage despite an own goal from Nayef Aguerd (40’ O.G.). Croatia (5) finished as runners-up, while Belgium (4) and Canada (0) crashed out of the tournament, having finished in third and fourth place, respectively. Morocco are looking to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after advancing to the last 16 following back-to-back victories, DWDWW. They will be making their second appearance at the knockout phase, having last done so at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. The North African side picked up a 2-2 draw against Spain in their only FIFA World Cup meeting back in 2018 and aim to avoid defeat here. Having seen his side hit the back of the net twice on Match Day 3, Walid Regragui could keep the 4—3—3 with Hakim Ziyech, Sofiane Boufal, and Youssef En-Nesyri in attack for Tuesday’s clash against Spain.

Despite taking the lead within the first fifteen minutes thanks to Álvaro Morata (11'), La Roja were defeated 2-1 by first-placed Japan (6) on Match Day 3, following a controversial goal that left Spain on the brink of a World Cup exit. However, after the seven-goal thrashing of bottom-placed Costa Rica (3) on Match Day 1, Spain (4) finished ahead of third-placed Germany (4) by goal difference. Spain [WWWDL] are making back-to-back FIFA World Cup appearances at the knockout phase in what will be their first meeting with an African side, having faced them at the group stage [3W, 1D, & 1L]. They have never lost to Morocco in three meetings [2W, 1D, & 0L] as they look to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Despite bagging Spain’s only goal against the Samurai Blue, Álvaro Morata was hauled off in the 57th minute for Marco Asensio. However, he is expected to return at the center of attack in Enrique's 4—3—3 against the Atlas Lions. After a less-than-convincing performance from goalkeeper Unai Simón, Luis Enrique could be considering options from the bench for Tuesday's clash, with the likes of Brentford’s David Raya and Albion’s Robert Sánchez yet to have a sniff in goal.