Morocco v Spain: Underdogs can prove tough nut to crack
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World Cup 2022: Morocco v Spain betting tips and odds
Spain are in the knockout stage of the World Cup for the fifth time in six editions, but it has not all been plain sailing for the 2010 champions, who finished runners-up in Group E following a shock 2-1 defeat by Japan on Thursday night.
La Roja started their campaign with a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica, but were heading home with 20 minutes remaining in their final group match against the Samurao Blue but progressed only on goal difference as Germany spared their blushes by coming from behind to beat the Central Americans.
Finishing second in the group meant they avoided Croatia in the last 16, so perhaps they can count themselves fortunate to have avoided one of Europe’s leading lights, but head coach Luis Enrique was furious with his players after the game.
Spain were coasting into the knockout stage as group winners with a 1-0 half-time lead and 83% possession against a Japan team that had failed to generate a shot on target, but two inspired substitutions turned the game on its head early in the second half.
Ritsu Doan levelled with a blistering 20-yard strike and then fellow sub Kaoro Mitoma somehow managed to pull the ball back from the byline for Ao Tanaka to bundle the ball home.
Luis Enrique did not hold back with criticism of his players, saying: “I am not happy at all…In five minutes they scored two goals and in those 10 minutes, they completely dismantled us. We have entered collapse mode. If they had needed to score two more goals, they would have scored them against us.”
Morocco will have been encouraged by the way Spain capitulated and in a World Cup full of surprises they look overpriced at 5/1 to cause an upset.
The north Africans comfortably held Croatia to a 0-0 draw which they followed with a 2-0 victory over 2018 semi-finalists Belgium and conceded their first goal of the tournament in a 2-1 victory over Canada to seal top spot in the group and a place in the knockout stage for the first time since 1986.
Morocco at the double
With that in mind, Walid Regragui’s side to win or draw at 6/5 in the World Cup odds is one of our Morocco v Spain betting tips, while the game to end 0-0 also has its merits at 7/1.
There have been six goalless draws in Qatar at the time of writing and Morocco have conceded just once in their last seven matches, an own goal against Canada, so it’s small wonder that at least one team not to score is 4/7 in the World Cup betting.
With goals expected to be in short supply, under 1.5 looks an interesting prospect at 9/5 as one of our Morocco v Spain betting tips, while a goalless first half is available at 11/8.
Ferran Torres scored twice against a lightweight Costa Rican side, but may struggle to add to his tally against the tough-tackling Moroccans. The Barcelona striker was brought on before the hour against the Samurai Blue and is 4/1 and 9/5 in the two markets.
Morocco winger Hakim Ziyech capitalised on an error from Canada keeper to open the scoring and is 12/1 or 11/2 in the two options.
