Spain vs. Morocco: According to the stats

This will be Morocco and Spain’s second World Cup encounter; in the first, in the 2018 group stages, Morocco twice took the lead before drawing 2-2, with a last-second Spain equalizer by Iago Aspas.

– Spain has never lost to Morocco in three previous encounters (W2 D1), with their two victories coming in November 1961 qualifying play-off legs for the 1962 World Cup.

– Spain was eliminated from the 2018 World Cup in the round of 16, falling to the tournament’s hosts Russia on penalties following a 1-1 draw. They last advanced past this point in 2010, going on to win the competition that year.

– Morocco is participating in the World Cup’s knockout rounds for just the second time. In 1986, they also advanced to the round of 16, where they were defeated by Germany 1-0.

– After playing African teams five times in the group stages, Spain will play an African team for the first time in a World Cup knockout game (W3 D1 L1). Only Nigeria managed to defeat Spain, winning 3-2, in 1998; Luis Enrique, the current manager of Spain, started the game.

– Morocco has won its last four World Cup games without a loss (W2 D2). Cameroon is the only African side to have won five straight World Cup games without suffering a loss (W2 D3 between 1982 and 1990).

– Spain completed 2 489 passes in the World Cup group stages, which is a record number for them in a single group stage. They finished with 82.3% of the possession.

Hakim Ziyech of Morocco scored his first World Cup goal in a 2-1 victory over Canada. He has also had the most ball carries (43), carried the ball the farthest distance (477.6m), and had the most take-ons after a ball carry (9) of any Moroccan player at this World Cup. He has also played the most passes into the box (17) and created the most chances (7) of any Moroccan player.

– Despite playing a combined total of just 126 minutes over his last three World Cup appearances for Spain, lvaro Morata has scored in each of those contests. Only David Villa in 2010 became the first player from Spain to score in four straight World Cup games.

Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco became the first player to score for his country at two different World Cups. The Sevilla striker is tied with Salaheddine Bassir, Abdeljalil Hadda, and Abderrazad Khairi on two goals and hopes to become the first Moroccan player to score three goals at a World Cup.

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