Morocco v Spain - what the stats say

- This will be the second World Cup meeting between Morocco and Spain – in the first, in the 2018 group stages, Morocco twice took the lead before drawing 2-2, with Iago Aspas scoring a last minute Spain equaliser.

- Spain have never lost in three previous meetings with Morocco (W2 D1), with their two wins both coming in qualifying play-off legs for the 1962 World Cup in November 1961 (1-0 away, 3-2 home).

- Spain were eliminated at the round of 16 stage in the 2018 World Cup, losing to the hosts Russia on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The last time they progressed from this stage was in 2010, going on to win the tournament that year.

- Morocco are featuring in the knockout stages of the World Cup for only a second time, also reaching the round of 16 in 1986, losing 1-0 to Germany that year.

- Spain are set to face an African side in a World Cup knockout match for the first time, having played African teams five times before in the group stages (W3 D1 L1). The only one of those to beat the Spaniards were Nigeria in 1998, a 3-2 victory, a match that current manager Luis Enrique started for Spain.

- Morocco are unbeaten in their last four matches at the World Cup (W2 D2). The only African team to go five consecutive World Cup games without defeat are Cameroon (W2 D3 between 1982 and 1990).

- Spain completed 2 489 passes in the group stages of this World Cup, their most in a single group stage on record (since 1966). They enjoyed 82.3 per cent possession and completed 969 passes in their 2-1 defeat to Japan last time out, both records for a losing team in a World Cup game since 1966.

- Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech scored his first World Cup goal in their 2-1 win over Canada. He’s also played the most passes into the box (17) and created the most chances (7) of any Morocco player at this World Cup, while he’s also had the most ball carries (43), carried the ball the furthest distance (477.6m) and had the most take-ons following a ball carry (9) of any Morocco player.

- Álvaro Morata has scored in each of his last three World Cup appearances for Spain, despite playing a total of just 126 minutes across those games. The only Spain player to score in four World Cup games in a row is David Villa in 2010.

? Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri became the first player to score at two different World Cups for the Moroccans (2018 and 2022). He is looking to become the first ever Morocco player to score three goals at the World Cup, with the Sevilla striker level with Salaheddine Bassir, Abdeljalil Hadda and Abderrazad Khairi on two goals.

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