It was an exciting match between Morocco and Spain in group B and in the end there was nothing to separate them as the match ended 2-2 at the Kaliningrad Stadium. The 2010 champions now face Russia in the Round of 16. A late goal by Aspas two minutes into injury time saw them level the scores and top the group. It was a severe blow to Portugal, who now face Uruguay.
Spain and Morocco had faced each other twice before, with the former coming out victorious on both occasions. Spain made just one change coming into the match, with Thiago replacing Lucas Vazquez. Morocco took the lead in the 10th minute, courtesy a goal from Khalid Boutaib. Ramos dawdled on the ball, before giving away possession to Boutaib who sped up the pitch before slipping the ball between De Gea’s legs.
But Spain weren’t trailing for long. Spain attacked with quick precise passing between Iniesta, Costa and Isco, with Iniesta making the run into the box from the left before teeing it up for Isco who blasted it into goal. It was Spain at their best.
Morocco came close to scoring again when Boutaib came one-on-one with De Gea after a throw over Pique and Ramos. De Gea stood his ground this time, blocking the shot. Spain dominated in attack and would have pulled ahead, had Costa taken his shot properly in the 26th minute. The game got physical and by the 32nd minute, El Ahmadi, Amrabat, Da Costa and Boussoufa had all been booked. Spain’s final chance in the first half was in the 37th minute, when Busquets headed high over the post following Isco’s corner.
Amrabat almost gave Morocco the lead in the 55th minute, but his shot hit the underside of the post. Spain, who started the second half sloppily, soon gained composure. Isco’s header in the 62nd minute almost found its way into the back of the net, but it was cleared by Saiss. Pique’s header from the resultant corner was also fractionally wide. Asensio and Aspas replaced Costa and Thiago in the 74th minute.
Morocco were not one to give up quickly. En-Nesyri put them ahead in the 81st minute with a header off Amrabat’s outswinging corner. Spain looked set to finish second in the group and face Uruguay but Iago Aspas equalised in the 92nd minute. The goal was initially ruled offside, but the decision was reviewed by VAR and the goal was given. It was a cruel ending for Morocco, but a sweet one for Aspas and Spain whose clever flick into goal resulted in the equaliser.
It was a fitting end. Both teams played brilliantly. Spain could have scored more and may have won, but they still topped the group. They now face Russia, who were beaten 3-0 by Uruguay. The 2010 World Cup champions will have to make amends for their mistakes in defence if they are to beat Russia and progress into the later stages of the tournament. They currently look patchy in defence. It was heartbreaking for Morocco in the end. They were within seconds of clinching their first victory in the tournament but fate had other plans.