Spain vs Morocco World Cup Round of 16: date, times, and how to watch

Group E runners-up Spain take on surprise Group F winners Morocco at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Tuesday, 6 December 2022. La Roja only sneaked through to the round of 16 on goal difference after picking up just a point from their last two groups games, while the Atlas Lions are full of confidence after pipping Croatia and Belgium to first place in their group.

When does Spain vs Morocco kick off?

The game between Spain and Morocco starts on Tuesday, 6 December 2022 at

· 10am ET

· 7am PT

How to watch Spain vs Morocco

Spain vs Morocco preview

Spain looking to get back on track after finishing Group E poorly

Things had looked so promising for Spain after their first group game. They passed Costa Rica off the park in a 7-0 victory, created chances galore and six different players found the net. What happened? A 1-1 draw against Germany meant they still needed a result against Japan going into matchday three, which they didn’t get, although the nature of the win against Los Ticos allowed them to go through on goal difference at the Germans’ expense. Luis Enrique will hope knockout football reinvigorates his team, who have tailed off badly after such a promising start.

Morocco full of confidence and with nothing to lose

Few, if any, would have expected Morocco to top a group containing 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia and Belgium, rated as the world’s second-best team in the FIFA rankings. However, they thoroughly deserved to do so, with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over the Red Devils in their second game the highlight. Walid Regragui’s side, who have been excellently organised in the tournament so far, will head into the game against the Spanish full of confidence and with nothing to lose. Write them off at your peril.

Spain vs Morocco prediction

Given the form the teams have shown in the group stages, this is a tough one to call. Spain have fallen off a cliff after thrashing Costa Rica 7-0, while Morocco have gone from strength to strength with back-to-back wins. Spain’s extra quality should see them through if they hit top gear, but will they?

Prediction – Spain 1-0 Morocco

Who will referee Spain vs Morocco?

The referee for Spain vs Morocco has not yet been announced.

Where will Spain vs Morocco be played?

Spain vs Morocco will be played at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, which has hosted six group games, including Tunisia’s shock win over France. The venue will host eight World Cup matches in total, the last of which will be a quarter-final tie.

Have Spain and Morocco ever played before?

Spain and Morocco have only ever met once before, with a late Iago Aspas goal salvaging a 2-2 draw for the Spaniards in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup.