The Atlas Lions of Morocco will be looking forward to progressing to the quarter finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup when they face Spain in a round of 16 game at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday, December 6. This is going to be the second meeting of the two countries, in a row, in the World Cup. The first was on June 25, 2018, in Russia when a late Iago Aspas goal aided the Spaniards to a 2-2 draw against the North Africans. Morocco have been very impressive in the ongoing tournament in Qatar. They are the only African team to ever top a world cup Group. They first achieved it in Mexico 1986 and they have repeated it in 2022 by winning Group F. Morocco were paired in a very difficult Group in the 2022 World Cup. They drew with Croatia before defeating Belgium 2-0 and Canada 2-1, respectively, to top the Group with seven points. La Roja also got their campaign to a bright start by humiliating Costa Rica 7-0 before drawing 1-1 with Germany and losing 2-1 to Japan to finish second in Group E. On paper, it looks very even as any of the team's have a good chance to make it to the last eight. Morocco head coach Walid Regragui says the game will not be easy as Spain are one of the favorites to win the competition. He, however, emphasized that his side will go all out in the encounter. It’s going to be a very difficult game. We’re against one of the best teams in the world, and one of the favourites to win the World Cup,” he stated in the pre match press conference. “If we eliminate Spain it’s a surprise for us, and the whole country. “We know the Spanish team very well. We have many players who play in Spain, and we love Spanish football, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult. The Atlas Lions have been to the World Cup six times since 1970 but their best performance was in the 1986 edition where they reached the second round. A win against former World Champions Spain on Tuesday will see the Atlas Lions making history by joining Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana as the only African countries to get to the quarter finals of the Mundial. Morocco will rely on the talismanic Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, Youssef En Nesyri and Sofyan Amrabat who have been their best players so far as they seek to knock out Spain. The Spanish on the other hand have squad with the likes of skipper Sergio Busquets, Alvaro Morata and Cesar Azplicueta being among the few experienced players in the side. The expertise of the veteran players in the Spanish team will be very much needed at this critical stage of the competition. Morocco are beaming with confidence after their superb performance in the Group stage. This game looks dicey for both countries and might eventually travel to 120 minutes.
![Morocco has enjoyed considerable support in Qatar [Al Jazeera]](https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2022/12/06/thumbs/1200x700/7696.jpg "Morocco has enjoyed considerable support in Qatar [Al Jazeera]")
