A shock 2-1 defeat to Japan in their final group game — the Samurai Blue’s second upset win of the group after beating Germany in their opener — edged La Roja off top spot, and they now take on Group F winners Morocco in the first knockout stage.
The North Africans have been one of the surprise packages in Qatar, with Walid Regragui’s team reaching the Round of 16 for the first time since 1986.
Winners in 2010, Spain are under pressure to build on their Euro 2020 semifinal, run but they face a real test in this one.
MORE: Spain squad at Qatar 2022 World Cup
Morocco vs Spain live stream, TV channel
Morocco take on Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on December 6 with kickoff set at 18:00 local time in Qatar.
Here’s how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
Morocco vs. Spain projected lineups
Regragui confirmed no fresh injuries following Morocco’s 2-1 win over Canada, with key duo Yassine Bounou and Achraf Hakimi passed fit, and he could stick with an unchanged team.
Morocco projected lineup (4-3-3): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 5. Aguerd, 6. Saiss, 3. Mazraoui — 8. Ounahi, 4. Amrabat, 11. Sabiri — 7. Ziyech, 17. En-Nesyri, 19. Boufal
Spain’s shock loss to Japan could force a rethink for Enrique, with Aymeric Laporte one option to return at the back, and Jordi Alba and Marco Asensio also in options for a recall.
Spain projected lineup (4-3-3): 23. Simon (GK) — 20. Carvajal, 3. Garcia, 24. Laporte, 18. Alba — 9. Gavi, 5. Busquets, 26. Pedri — 11. Torres, 7. Morata, 21. Olmo.
Morocco vs. Spain odds, prediction
Spain are strongly fancied to have too much for Morocco in this game, despite the North African side enjoying a better return of points in the group stages, as La Roja look to match expectations in Qatar.
Enrique’s team were the joint-highest scorers in the group stages (nine goals, alongside England) but they could find a Morocco side, which only conceded once in three matches, tough to break down.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
A reminder: All moneyline bets are for regulation time only, regardless of competition. If the match requires a winner and goes to extra time or penalties, a moneyline bet of a regulation draw is successful and the rest of play does not factor in.
