📰 Table Of Contents
Double of the day:
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Morocco vs Spain
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After making history in the group stages, can Morocco now defeat their neighbours from across the Alboran Sea?
The Atlas Lions topped their group with seven points, the most any African side has ever posted in a single campaign.
Walid Regragui’s team held their own against Croatia, drawing 0-0, before recording famous victories over both Belgium and then Canada.
In the latter, Hakim Ziyech scored a delightful lob from 35 yards out, with the goalkeeper off his line, before Youssef En-Nesyri’s cool finish doubled their lead.
Nayef Aguerd’s own goal in that game was the first time Morocco had conceded since 9 June, ending a run of over 662 minutes without letting one in.
This defensive solidity will be vital as the difficulty level goes up a notch here.
Luis Enrique’s side appeared to be from another planet on matchday one, demolishing Costa Rica 7-0.
Since then though, la Roja have played out a cagy 1-1 draw with Germany, before Wednesday’s shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Japan.
Álvaro Morata actually broke the deadlock early in that game, but the defeat meant, for a minute or two while Costa Rica were leading, Spain were actually going out at one stage.
In the end, Enrique’s team had to settle for second place, and this potentially tricky tie.
La Roja have kept just eight clean sheets in their last 21 competitive matches, so backing both teams to score in 90 minutes at 6/5 could represent good value.
Secondary tip of the day
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Sticking with the theme of Spain being defensively fragile, can Morocco be the team to break the deadlock?
These two teams also met at the last World Cup, drawing 2-2 in Kaliningrad, with Khalid Boutaïb the first goal-scorer that night.
Hakim Ziyech scored just four minutes into Morocco’s clash with Canada on Wednesday, meaning they’ve netted first in their last five internationals (excluding 0-0s).
So, roared on by a huge, partisan crowd at Education City Stadium, don’t be surprised if the Atlas Lions go 1-0 up.
Goalscorer tip of the day
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If Spain are going to prevail in this tie, and subsequently make a deep run in Qatar, Álvaro Morata’s goals will be key.
Last summer, he became Spain’s record goalscorer at European Championships of all-time, breaking Fernando Torres’ record.
Morata then bagged his first at a World Cup, netting the seventh against Costa Rica, before breaking the deadlock against both Germany and Japan.
Only three other players, Telmo Zarra (1950), Fernando Hierro (1998 & 2002) and David Villa (2010), have scored in three successive World Cup matches for la Roja, with Villa the only one managing four on the spin.
While Morata isn’t even a guarantee starter, despite these goals, but he’ll certainly see some action, and could be the hero off the bench late on.
Portugal vs Switzerland
Related article: Portugal vs Switzerland- three most memorable meetings
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The eighth and final round of 16 tie in Qatar sees an all-European affair take place at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Portugal, bizarrely, have only ever got beyond this stage at the World Cup on two occasions, reaching the semi-finals in both 1966 and 2006.
Those are the only two previous occasions A Seleção have topped their group, something they’ve replicated here, which could be a good omen.
Fernando Santos’ team beat both Ghana and Uruguay, with varying degrees of difficulty, meaning Friday’s defeat to Korea Republic was of little relevance.
Under Santos, they’ve won both the Euros and the Nations League, despite having never claimed major silverware beforehand.
At Euro 2016, Portugal beat Poland on penalties and required extra time to oust both Croatia and France in the final.
Similarly, this one could also go beyond the usual 90 minutes.
As for Switzerland, they reached a first major quarter-final in 67 years last summer, overcoming France on penalties at this stage of the Euros.
At the World Cup, Rossocrociati have lost their last four round of 16 ties, dumped out on penalties by Ukraine in 2006 and in extra time by Argentina eight years ago.
At this tournament, Murat Yakın’s team were very impressive in Friday’s winner takes all group decider against Serbia, prevailing 3-2.
During the summer, in the Nations League, Portugal won when these two met in Lisbon, but were beaten just a week later in Geneva.
So, there isn’t much to separate these two, meaning extra time could be on the cards and, if it does go that far, Portugal’s strength in depth could see them over the line.
Secondary tip of the day
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Switzerland first two group games in Qatar were goalless at the break, notably setting up very defensively against Brazil.
Meanwhile, Portugal are often very cautious under Fernando Santos; their 2-0 win over Uruguay a prime example.
In fact, their last 12 knockout games have witnessed just five goals in the first 45, dating back to Euro 2008.
So, despite the fact the fastest goal in UEFA Nations League history was scored when these two met in June, expect a far more cagy affair, with the stakes far higher.
Goalscorer tip of the day
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The man for the big occasion: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his 118 international goals, five have come against Switzerland, only netting more against Luxembourg, Lithuania, Sweden, Andorra and Hungary.
Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick when the two met in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals of 2019, before bagging a brace as the two met again back in June.
Of his eight World Cup goals though, including a penalty against Ghana last week, none have come in the knockout phase.
A brave individual would back against him changing that statistic, particularly after Lionel Messi bagged his maiden knockout goal on Saturday.
