Spain’s coach Luis Enrique during a training session at the Qatar University. AFP
Spain may be favourites against Morocco in their last 16 clash but the North Africans were brimming with confidence ahead of the tough challenge as they look to make their World Cup history at Education City Stadium today.
The Atlas Lions have never reached the World Cup quarter-final, having advanced to the knockout stage only once before, which was back in 1986 when they lost to West Germany in the Round of 16.
But Morocco’s remarkable performance in the group stage that saw them emerging as surprise Group F winners has given them a reason to dream big – another shock result against the heavyweights after beating Belgium and drawing with 2018 runners-up Croatia. They also defeated Canada in their unbeaten run in the first stage.
However, Luis Enrique’s La Roja despite finishing runners-up in Group E after a shock defeat to Japan in their final group match remain one of the title contenders to win the World Cup, and Morocco coach Walid Regragui was aware of the big task against the 2010 champions.
“It will be a very testing game for us. I think they’re one of the favourites to reach the final,” Regragui told reporters yesterday.
“I told the players, before the World Cup, we’re playing only finals here. We’ve played three finals in the group phase and now it’s our fourth final,” he said before adding his team has the potential to pull off a historic win.
“We’ve also got things up our sleeve. We’ve had one extra rest day compared to them and we’re going to try and pull a surprise out of the bag. If we can knock them out, it will be a big surprise.”
With hosts Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia ousted, Morocco – the only Arab team left in the tournament – are expected to draw huge cheers from the crowd in today’s game. After Senegal’s defeat to England on Sunday night, the Atlas Lions are also the last African team left in Qatar.
“We will come in with a winner’s attitude, we will come out swinging. We want to hoist the Moroccan flag way up high. We’re playing first and foremost for us and our country,” said Regragui.
“All Arabs and Africans, we want to make them happy. We want their prayers and we want their support so it can give us that extra ingredient to win.”
Enrique wary of Morocco threat
Meanwhile, coach Enrique stressed Spain will not underestimate Morocco, hailing the Africans among the fittest teams at this World Cup.
“If someone looks down on Morocco, it’s not the Spanish team,” he told reporters yesterday.
“Morocco are in the best mood at the moment, they’re highly motivated after a spectacular group stage, they topped a tricky group,” he said.
Spain have only reached the last 16 stage once – when they won the title in 2010 – in their last four World Cup appearances.
Enrique advised his players to focus on the game and forget about the results.
“Football is not always a fair game. I’m convinced we have more merits than Morocco. If we don’t, I’ll be totally fine. Our philosophy is the same. We try and entertain the fans so they have fun watching us. We shouldn’t just go and get the victory, we need to entertain the spectators,” he said.
Enrique added Spain can deal with a possible penalty shootout scenario, hoping the players are prepared to tackle the pressure.
“Over a year ago, I told the players that they had to take at least a thousand penalties with the club. For me, penalties are not a lottery. You improve in penalties with training. Obviously, you can’t train the pressure and tension, but you can cope with it,” he said.
“It doesn’t depend on luck, the goalkeeper is key in the shootout. All three of our keepers are good at them.”
With Morocco expected to get overwhelming support from their fans today, Enrique said it will be a match with a lot of fun.
“There will be a lot of Moroccans, with whom we get along very well. We 5,000 Spaniards make a lot of noise. It’s a game to enjoy.”
When: Today at 6:00pm
Where: Education City Stadium
Capacity: 44,667
Key stats:
- Morocco are undefeated in six matches with coach Walid Regragui who took over the team in September. They have conceded one goal only, against Canada in their last match.
- Morocco have reached the last 16 for the second time since 1986. It is the first time an Arab coach has guided a team to the knock-out stages.
- Luis Enrique took over Spain in July 2018 after their elimination from the World Cup in Russia but quit in June 2019 for personal reasons. He rejoined the national team four months later.
- Luis Enrique led Spain to the semi-final of Euro 2020 last year, then to the final of the European Nations League before losing to France.
Previous meetings:
Morocco have played Spain three times since 1961, including once at the World Cup. Spain won twice, but the third ended in 2-2 draw at the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
