Aspas scores late goal as Spain rescue a point in 2-2 draw against Morocco

Spain go through as group winners and will face hosts Russia in the last-16 on Sunday. Portugal, meanwhile, will battle it out with Uruguay as Morocco and Iran exit the tournament.

Spain need just a point in their final Group B match to see themselves into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2018 when they take on Morocco at the Kaliningrad Stadium here on Monday. 




Full-time match report: Spain laboured to draw against Morocco today in the final Group B match at the Kaliningrad Stadium that sends them to the knockout phase of the tournament. And although Morocco head home without a single win, they played good football in their latest match as they did in every other game. Iago Aspas scored a late back-heel goal to save Spain's blushes after En-Nesyri scored a stunning header from a corner in the 81st minute to almost win it for Morocco.

Both teams started in a 4-2-3-1 and, with nothing to lose, Morocco started pressing Spain from the very beginning. They would not let Spain settle into their passing game and were rewarded for their persistence in the 14th minute when they scored their first goal, although a huge share of blame for that should go to Sergio Ramos and Iniesta, neither of whom went for the ball in a state of confusion. Boutaib took the benefit of this and charged towards De Gea and slid the ball beneath the keeper and into the goal. 

Boutaib had another chance almost 10 minutes later when Morocco received a throw-in near the halfway line. The ball was thrown beyond the Spanish defence to put into one-on-one situation with De Gea but the Spaniard was up to the task this time and blocked the shot.

Spain then took control of the situation largely due to the midfield duo of Andres Iniesta and Isco. The two also combined in the 19th minute to pull Spain levels with Morocco in terms of goalscoring when Isco received a pass by Iniesta from the byline and blasted it to the underside of the goal. There were also a lot of bookings (four for Morocco), and some altercations between the players of the two sides largely involving the goal-scorer Boutaib and Spain's captain Sergio Ramos.

Spain controlled the game in the second half from the very beginning. But, in the 55th minute, Amrabat nearly scored from the edge of the box. The Watford winger cut across from the right and pulled off an unreal shot with the outside of the foot that zoomed to the top-left corner only to hit the underside of the bar. De Gea was rooted to his shot. 

The 2010 World Cup champions had a moment like this of their own within six minutes when Isco got a cross inside the box, jumped and heads it to the top-right corner only for Saiss to glance it beyond the goalpost with a last-minute header. The Spanish were in control by that time and were continuously knocking at Morocco's door, looking for an opening. But in the 81st minute, and against the run of play, Morocco's En-Nesyri scored a stunning header from a corner after towering over Ramos with a jump, restoring Morocco's lead.

Spain, with understandable urgency, moved forward and tried to breach the Moroccan defence and they did do that in the 90th minute when substitute Iago Aspas scored from a back-heel flick at the near post after receiving a low pass from the right by Carvajal. There were protests from the Moroccans, not for the off-side (which was reviewed via VAR), but about allegations that there was a foul by Busquets during the play leading up to the goal. 

Spain dominated possession but Morocco were courageous and willing to take the risks for which they were rewarded with goals and punished with cards. They do make an honourable exit though, having played attacking football despite their losses.

In the group's other game Iran equalised late against Portugal which means that Spain go through as group winners and will face hosts Russia in the last-16 on Sunday. Portugal, meanwhile, will battle it out with Uruguay.

Live updates:

Minute 90 (GOAL!!)-- Iago Aspas scores but that's ruled offside!! Referee to consult VAR! And.. it's given. The substitute flicked a short corner into the goal. The flag went up but VAR suggests the striker was on-side. Morocco are furious!!

Minute 84-- Morocco make a substitution -- Ziyach out for Bouhaddouz. Spain make a substitution. David Silva substituted for Rodrigo.

Minute 81 (GOAL!!) -- En-Nesyri scores a stunning header from a corner for Morocco and Morocco lead 2-1!!

Minute 72 -- Double change for Spain: Diego Costa and Thiago replaced by Iago Aspas and Marco Asensio.

Minute 71 -- Substitution for Morocco: Goal-scorer Boutaib replaced by En Nesyri

Minute 68-- Jordi plays a wonderful pass to Diego into the box who fends off two defenders and lays the ball for Thiago just outside the box but the Bayern Munich midfielder's shot is awry.

Minute 63 -- Morocco substitution: Belhanda out for Fajr

Minute 61 -- What a save!!!! Isco gets a cross inside the box, he jumps and heads it to the top-right corner only for Saiss to glance it beyond the goalpost with a last-minute header. Spain get a corner and Pique jumps the highest for it but heads it slightly away from the goalpost.

Minute 55 -- Amrabat nearly scores from the edge of the box. He cuts across an unreal shot with the outside of the foot that zooms to the top-left corner only to hit the underside of the bar. De Gea was rooted to his shot. What a goal that would have been.

Minute 49 -- Ziyach puts in an absolutely beautiful long-ball cross from deep into the Spanish box and Boussoufa runs to head it but De Gea is alert and rushes to punch the ball away.

Second half begins.

Half-time report: Spain had a scare in the 14th minute of the ongoing final Group B match at the Kaliningrad Stadium today when they conceded an early goal by Botaib. But, they have since taken control of the situation largely due to the midfield duo of Andres Iniesta and Isco. The two also combined in the 19th minute to pull Spain levels with Morocco in terms of goalscoring when Isco received a pass by Iniesta from the byline and blasted it to the underside of the goal. They have since controlled the game but the defence has been shambolic. Morocco's first goal came due to a confusion between Iniesta and Ramos which Boutaib took benefit of to charge towards De Gea all by himself and slide it beneath him and into the goal. Boutaib had another chance almost 10 minutes later when Morocco received a throw-in near the halfway line. The ball was thrown beyond the Spanish defence to put into one-on-one with De Gea but the Spaniard was up to the task this time and blocked the shot.

There were also a lot of bookings (four for Morocco), and some altercations between the players of the two sides largely involving the goal-scorer Boutaib and Spain's captain Sergio Ramos.

Minute 45+1 -- Iniesta plays a brilliant lay-off to Diego Costa in the middle of the box who cannot apply the finishing touch.

Minute 42 -- Morocco take the attack to the Spanish side. Hakimi does well to skip past a few Spanish players and play a pass to Ziyach who is outside the box. Ziyach takes a swing but the ball flies well over the bar.

Minute 39 -- Spain get a free-kick at the edge of the Morocco box. Isco puts in a curling cross but no Spaniard can get to the end of it.

Minute 30 -- Da Costa is booked for a nasty lunge at Isco. Yellow card also for Boussoufa after the captain continues to argue with the referee.

Minute 28 -- Amrabat gets a booking after he brings down  Ramos who is looking to receive a cross in his own half.

Minute 24 -- Boutaib is denied!! Morocco received a throw-in near the halfway line and it was thrown beyond the Spanish defence to put Boutaib into one-on-one with De Gea once again but the Spaniard is up to the task this time and blocks Boutaib's shot.

Minute 19(GOAL!!)-- Spain draw level very very soon. Iniesta draws the Moroccan defence and the goalkeeper near the byline on the left had already committed himself. The Spanish maestro then passes the ball to Isco who has in the meantime reached the box and is practically unmarked. Isco receives the ball and blasts it to the underside of the goal's roof. SPAIN 1-MOROCCO 1 

Minute 14 (GOAL!!) - Morocco score!! Ramos and Iniesta leave the ball for each other. Boutaib takes the benefit of the confusion and takes possession of the ball and charges towards De Gea who is left stranded. The Moroccan slides the ball under De Gea whose feet are making a triangle!

Minute 10 -- Diego Costa reaches the byline on the right and gives it back to onrushing Carvajal who with his first touch pushes the ball towards David Silva who is already running inside the box. He puts in a cross into the ball but the onrushing Iniesta can't get to the ball in time. Amrabat receives the ball and launches the counter-attack but his 'friend' Ramos cuts the attack down before it can develop into something else.

Minute 7 -- Pique brings down Boutrib with a sliding two-footed challenge although he got to the ball first.

Minute 6 -- Altercation between Amrabat and Ramos after the Iranian looks to bring the Spaniard down.

Minute 4 -- After some good inter-linking play, Isco gets the ball in the right-hand side but stabs it right at the goalkeeper.

Minute 3 -- Morocco have started out well. Like they have this entire tournament. But they can't make much of it in the final third. Like they have this entire tournament

Trivia:
 

-- Morocco were shown four yellow cards in the first half against Spain - since 1966, the only other occasion of a team having more in the first half of a World Cup game was also by Morocco (5 v Netherlands in 1994). (Source: OptaJoe)

-- Isco has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 15 international appearances for Spain, scoring 10 goals and assisting a further two. (Source: OptaJoe)

Line-ups out: 

Spain (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Thiago; Silva, Iniesta, Isco; Diego Costa.

Morocco (4-2-3-1): Munir; Hakimi, Da Costa, Saiss, Dirar; El Ahmadi, Boussoufa; Amrabat, Belhanda, Ziyech; Boutaib.

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).

Spain vs Morocco Line-ups

Here is how the group B table stands after the first two matches.
 

The Spanish currently share leadership of their group with Portugal, who will also reach the last 16 with a draw against Iran.

Both the Spanish and Portuguese have the same number of points and the same goal difference and if that is still the case after Monday's matches, their positions would be decided by the number of yellow cards each side has seen so far in Russia.

But Spain would not be just looking for a draw as they would want to top the group. 

By the time the game kicks off in Kaliningrad, Spain will know whether Russia or Uruguay have won Group A and have a better idea of their next possible rival, but the fact they can't risk a heavy defeat means coach Fernando Hierro will pick his strongest possible 11.

Squad depth:

The Spanish struggled to break down Iran in their recent 1-0 win in Kazan and Hierro needs midfielders such as David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Isco to try and get closer to the Morocco penalty area.

Diego Costa has been Spain's main threat so far with 3 of the 4 goals they have scored so far in Russia.

Costa will again lead the line, while the coach could try something different, perhaps with Lucas Vazquez given a chance in a wide role.

In theory, the Spanish defense will be unaltered with Alba, Ramos, Pique and the fit again Dani Carvajal in defense and David de Gea continuing in goal.

What is at stake?

Morocco showed in their games against Iran and Portugal that they are a tough side to face, but that they lack punch in attack.

That lack of a threat has seen them fail to take the chances which could have given their World Cup a very different storyline than an early ticket home and the Spanish will have to be careful of being caught on the break as they seek to control possession.

In theory, Spain could suffer a narrow defeat and still make the last 16 if Portugal beat Iran or that game ends in a low scoring draw.

Isco's call for philosophy

Spain national team practices for their second match

Spain midfielder Isco believes his side must stay true to the philosophy that brought them World Cup glory in 2010 to achieve the result they need in tomorrow's Group B decider against Morocco.

After a breathless 3-3 draw with Portugal in their opening game, La Roja laboured to a 1-0 victory over Iran, and require at least a point in Kaliningrad against a Morocco side playing for pride to guarantee a last 16 berth.

"We have to be faithful to the end to the style of play that defines us," the Real Madrid playmaker told reporters ahead of the game.

"We have to play, pass a lot, keep the ball. If we play quickly across the pitch the chances will come."

Spain won a historic treble of European and world titles between 2008-2012 with a brand of possession-based football that came to be known as "tiki taka".

Along with Real teammates Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio, Isco represents the cream of a new crop of Spanish talent looking to fill the void left in the national team after legend Xavi's retirement.

"This is my first time in a big competition with the national side," he said. "I feel at ease but it's easier with all the big players in the side."

Playing behind striker Diego Costa, Isco has delighted Spain fans this tournament with his deft touch and vision, but the team heads to Russia's European enclave knowing the job is far from done.

Spain coach

Coach Fernando Hierro, who only took the job two days before the tournament began after the shock dismissal of Julen Lopetegui, said his team won't underestimate a Morocco squad that are yet to pick up a point.

"This is the World Cup, and not one single game is going to be easy," Hierro said. "We can improve, and I hope we will keep winning while we do so, but nobody is giving anything away easily.

"In certain groups teams have already qualified (for the last 16) but our group is very tough. We have no option but to secure all three points against Morocco."

Morocco coach

Morocco coach Herve Renard said his team had been victim to a "total injustice" in becoming the first nation knocked out of the World Cup before their final Group B clash with Spain.

Morocco were eliminated after losing 1-0 to Portugal in Moscow after a 95th-minute own goal saw them lose to Iran by the same scoreline in their opener.

"When you look at the facts in the Portugal game, it's totally unfair.

"For the goal we conceded, there was an obvious foul by (defender) Pepe at the front post. Why did (the referee) not see it?" Renard told reporters in Kaliningrad ahead of Monday's encounter.

"Then there was a handball by Pepe, exactly the same as the one (that was given as a penalty) for Australia" in the Socceroos' Group C match against Denmark.

Morocco attacked Portugal relentlessly in the second half in Moscow after Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with an early header.

"For me it's a total injustice, especially because of the quality showed by my players during the game. You mustn't forget we were playing the European champions.

"It's unfair that we're already eliminated but we have to accept reality." Goalkeeper Munir al-Kajoui agreed that the team had been unlucky in their two games so far.

"When we arrived in Russia the coach told us about VAR and we had to be aware of this in key moments," he said. "But in our case it's been decisive and it's basically thrown us out of the tournament.

"We are talking about a couple of moments that really hurt us." Munir, who was born in the Spanish North African enclave of Melilla, plays his club football in Spain, and said he expects a tough test against the 2010 winners in Kaliningrad.

"Spain have great stars but honestly none inspire fear in me," said the Numancia stopper.

"Obviously, it's an important match for us, for our honour and our pride and to try to give some joy to our fans. They deserve it." Frenchman Renard, who once managed Cambridge United in England's fourth tier, said his team would be motivated for the game despite having nothing to play for.

"My job is to pose Spain problems and make the Moroccan people proud," he said.

When and where to watch

In today's Group B match, Spain vs Morocco match will take place in Kaliningrad on Monday, June 25, 2018, at 11:30 PM (IST).

Spain vs Morocco match will be broadcast on Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD in English Commentary and Sony Ten 3 and Sony 3 HD in Hindi Commentary.

Spain vs Morocco and Iran vs Portugal matches will be available for live streaming on Sony Liv also. And Both Airtel and Jio would broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2018 matches for free to their respective subscribers.

Spain world cup squad:

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal(Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos(Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba(Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Odriozola (Real Sociedad)

Midfield: Sergio Busquets(Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) Saúl, Koke (both Atletico), Thiago (Bayern) David Silva (Manchester City), Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vázquez (all Real Madrid)

Forward: Iago Aspas (Celta), Rodrigo (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico)

Morocco World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui (Numancia, Spain), Yassine Bounou (Girona, Spain), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (Ittihad Tanger);

Defenders: Mehdi Benatia (Juventus, Italy), Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Manuel Da Costa (Basaksehir, Turkey), Badr Benoun (Raja Casablanca), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid, Spain), Hamza Mendyl (Lille, France);

Midfielders: M'bark Boussoufa (Al Jazira, UAE), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Youssef Ait Bennasser (Caen, France), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Younes Belhanda (Galatasaray, Turkey), Faycal Fajr (Getafe, Spain), Amine Harit (Schalke, Germany);

Forwards: Khalid Boutaib (Malatyaspor, Turkey), Aziz Bouhaddouz (St. Pauli, Germany), Ayoub El Kaabi (Renaissance Berkane), Nordin Amrabat (Leganes, Spain), Mehdi Carcela (Standard de Liege, Belgium), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax, Netherlands).