Spain 2-2 Morocco: World Cup Russia 2018, Group B
Iago Aspas was awarded a goal that was initially ruled offside while Iran scored a late penalty to see Spain top of Group B as the knock-out stages near. The USA vs. Ecuador live and direct: Friendly FIFA Date
Spain 2-2 Morocco: match report
Spain managed to steal top spot in Group B from Portugal's hands at the death after an Iago Aspas goal was given having initially been ruled out. Meanwhile, in the other game of the group, Portugal squandered a goal lead in which they were dominant thanks to penalty awarded by VAR also.
Khalid Boutaib gave Morocco the lead when he pounced on a loose ball that was the result ofa communication breakdown between Ramos and Iniesta. He raced clear and slotted home beyond a helpless David de Gea.
Spain were back on level terms just five minutes later, however, when Andres Iniesta fed Isco before he slammed the ball to the back of the net from close range. Spain were dominating possession but looked nervous at the back.
In the second half, Spain started to run out of ideas and it was Morocco who took the lead when Youssef El Nesyri buried a header from a corner with just nine minutes to go. With Portugal winning their game at the time, it seems Spain would have to suffice for second place and a date with Uruguay.
Right at the death, however, Spain won a corner and Iago Aspas backheeled a goal into the back of the net with the linesman flagging and ruling it out. The referee went to VAR and the goal was given. And just as that happened, Iran scored a penalty to draw level with Portugal meaning Spain jumped to the top of the group in injury time.
They play Russia on Sunday afternoon with Portugal drawing the short straw and will play Uruguay on Saturday night.
Spain vs Morocco live: latest news
Spain vs Morocco live: preview
Spain face Morocco in their final group stage match at the 2018 World Cup with La Roja vying with Portugal to finish top of the pile in order to avoid Uruguay in the last 16 after La Celeste saw off Russia in their shoot-out for the Group A crown in Samara.
Fernando Hierro’s side are not assured of a place in the knock-out stages heading into their game against the Atlas Lions but it would require a collapse of historic proportions for Spain to exit the World Cup at the first hurdle for the second time running after the debacle in Brazil four years ago.
If Morocco, who are already out of the tournament, beat Spain by two goals or more and Iran hold Portugal to draw then it’s curtains for Hierro’s side. A draw will be enough to secure progression but if Portugal are victorious against Iran that would leave La Roja facing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani and company in the next round.
Diego Costa looking for goals not cards against Morocco
Spain managed a clean sheet in their last match against Iran and in Diego Costa have finally found the answer to those questions being posed before the tournament about a starting number nine.
The Atlético striker has three goals in his two games in Russia so far and will lead the line against Morocco, who have proven resilient in defence at the World Cup but have yet to find the net themselves. It took a 95th minute Aziz Bouhaddouz own goal to hand Iran victory and Portugal were kept quiet after Cristiano Ronaldo found the net in the fourth minute in their second fixture.
Hierro will need all of his firepower and creative faculties on the pitch in Kaliningrad but he must also ensure that his players keep their cool, something Costa is not exactly famed for. Spain and Portugal are level on points and goal difference going into the final round of games and if that status quo is maintained when the dust settles this evening then Fair Play will decide the outcome of the group.
Spain have one yellow card on their balance sheet going into Tuesday’s fixtures while Portugal have been shown two, the last a 92nd-minute caution for Adrien Silva against Iran.