Morocco are the feel-good story of the 2022 World Cup match thus far. The Atlas Lions topped their group, the primary African nation to take action on this century, and might be trying to upset their neighbors Spain in Tuesday’s spherical of 16 conflict.
In the meantime, Brazil are usually not holding something again after scoring 4 first-half targets in opposition to South Korea to advance to the quarterfinals. The Selecao are one of the vital entertaining groups to look at, offering soccer that is straightforward on the attention with loads of aptitude, particular person expertise and dance strikes to have a good time.
Be sure you verify in with ESPN all through the match as we carry you the newest from Qatar. Here is what you might need missed from Monday’s World Cup happenings, and a sit up for Tuesday for what’s subsequent.
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Spain or Morocco?
Neighbors Spain and Morocco will meet within the spherical of 16 on Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. ET. Morocco shocked the world after profitable their group and choosing up as many factors as England and Netherlands. That very same group included Belgium and Croatia, and an emphatic win in opposition to the previous confirmed everybody they imply enterprise in Qatar.
In the meantime, Luis Enrique’s aspect began the match with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica, however ended up drawing in opposition to Germany and dropping in opposition to Japan. They needed to accept the runners-up spot, and can look to have discovered from their errors in opposition to a Moroccan aspect in dreamland.
Spain’s midfield is arguably one of the best within the match, with the likes of veteran Sergio Busquets coupled with younger stars Pedri and Gavi, all three hailing from Barcelona. They will look to regulate the sport and beat their opponents with possession, motion and off-the-ball working. Nevertheless, they’ve been criticized for his or her lack of a No. 9, which Enrique discovered fault with, saying Ferran Torres and Alvaro Morata are normally in that function.
– World Cup bracket: Spain, Morocco arrange QF match
For Morocco, it’s their fifth look on the World Cup. They’ve by no means made it previous the quarterfinals stage, and a date with future is about for tomorrow. Though the chances are in opposition to them, head coach Walid Regragui stated the workforce is “well-prepared” and that “we’ll do every thing to win.” With workforce chemistry, management and cohesiveness, Morocco might need the proper combine to maintain on stunning.
Something is feasible within the World Cup.
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James Olley particulars the important thing consider Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea within the World Cup spherical of 16.
Brazil placed on sensational exhibiting
Brazil’s efficiency in opposition to South Korea encapsulates every thing about their soccer model. The passing, the trickery, the dancing. Even head coach Tite obtained concerned after they scored their third in lower than half-hour.
Neymar got here again from harm to tremendous cost the aspect into excessive gear and rating a objective from the spot. He is only one objective away from equalling Pele’s Brazil objective file. Vinicius Junior, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta have been among the many different scorers, although there might have been extra given the possibilities South Korea gave up.
And to verify each member of their squad obtained minutes within the World Cup, Tite introduced on third-choice goalkeeper Weverton on the eightieth minute. Now everybody’s a part of the celebration.
After the match, the gamers held a flag for Pele, who’s at the moment in hospital after being admitted there final week as he battles colon most cancers.
“I will watch the sport from right here on the hospital and I will be rooting for every certainly one of you,” Pele stated, and the boys delivered. Joga Bonito.
At present’s high reads
Booze cruise: What it is like at Qatar’s ocean-liner-turned-hotel World Cup celebration spots
Followers from throughout kind a melting pot of World Cup followers, alcohol imbibers, partiers and vacationers in Qatar’s docked ships getting used as resorts.
Why Bruno Fernandes has been Portugal’s finest participant on the World Cup
Bruno Fernandes was dropped for Portugal’s round-of-16 exit on the Euros. On the similar stage of this World Cup, he is been the workforce’s key participant.
Morocco’s run to World Cup knockouts is not any fluke; the key is workforce spirit
Many did not anticipate Morocco to get by means of, however they’ll have a large quantity of help on the bottom once they face Spain on Tuesday.
Your finest bets (odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook)
In case you’re trying to wager on the World Cup, ESPN contributors Paul Carr, Daniel Thomas and Dalen Cuff are right here to provide you key recommendations on odds, choices and futures. Here is what we’ve for Tuesday’s matches.
Morocco (+525) vs. Spain (-170), Draw (+270)
Dalen Cuff: Spain has seemed wonderful for durations of this match and quixotically fragile briefly bursts. That was evident within the sport in opposition to Japan which noticed them go from up 1-0 to down 2-1 within the span of minutes. I feel they advance right here, however they are going to be pushed and are prone to surrendering a objective to an excellent counter-attacking Moroccan aspect. I like each groups to attain (+115).
Paul Carr: Dalen stole my play right here. As we noticed all through the group stage, Spain could have a ton of the ball and be susceptible on the counterattack. Each of these issues are positive with Morocco. Spain have solely allowed three targets in three video games, which in step with their 2.7 anticipated targets in opposition to. That stated, Spain are permitting the second-best photographs within the match (0.16 xG/shot), so opponents are discovering good probabilities on the break. Morocco will try this too.
Daniel Thomas: Spain have had such a wierd world World Cup so far and that makes this sport very troublesome to evaluate. I will take the draw after 90 minutes.
Portugal (-117) vs. Switzerland (+350), Draw (+235)
Cuff: Portugal has been higher on this match than I anticipated. That stated, the Swiss workforce obtained outcomes each eventually summer season’s Euros and once more on this match — significantly once they needed to win or draw to advance in opposition to Serbia and got here again from down 2-1 to win 3-2. That is primarily the identical Swiss workforce that knocked out France within the Euros Spherical of 16 after being down 3-1 within the second half. I am backing them to get a lead to 90 minutes, double the possibility (win/draw) at -107. Or, when you’re feeling aggressive, they’re at +175 to advance.
Carr: Each of those groups have been extra open than anticipated thus far. Ten targets have been scored in Portugal’s three video games and eight in Switzerland’s, with underlying numbers that are not far off. That is why I like over 2.5 targets at +127. It is all the time a dangerous wager in a knockout sport, which might flip right into a cagey 1-0 kind of sport, however I do not suppose both workforce will go for that on this one.
Thomas: There are two good groups going head-to-head right here. I agree it will be tight. I like Portugal to undergo on penalties (+850).
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Ale Moreno reacts to Fernando Santos’ feedback about him being sad with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Information and notes
Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos blasted Cristiano Ronaldo’s response to being subbed off in Friday’s group stage sport in opposition to South Korea. The Portugal captain seemed visibly pissed off when he was taken off within the second half of the 2-1 defeat, with cameras catching the 37-year-old showing to say, “He is in a rush to sub me.” Santos stated he hadn’t seen the footage at first, however after watching it he stated “I did not prefer it. Did not prefer it in any respect. From there, it is stuff you type out internally. It was sorted out this fashion, and now we take into consideration the sport tomorrow. Everybody is targeted on the sport.” Santos then refused to verify whether or not Ronaldo could be named within the workforce for the round-of-16 tie with Switzerland at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday — doubtlessly his final sport at a World Cup.
Didier Deschamps will ban his gamers from sporting jewellery, after saying Jules Kounde was “very fortunate” to flee his anger for being advised to take away a gold necklace throughout Sunday’s 3-1 win in opposition to Poland. The Barcelona defender Kounde was compelled off the pitch when referee Jesus Valenzuela noticed the full-back’s gold chain on the skin of his shirt. “He [Kounde] should not have began the sport with that on,” Deschamps stated. “I do not know what he has on the necklace, however I do know he is a bit superstitious and he wears it in coaching too.” The defending world champions will face England on Saturday with the 2 nations set to fulfill in a World Cup for the primary time because the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
England’s Raheem Sterling has left England’s World Cup camp in Qatar and returned dwelling after a break-in at his dwelling. The 27-year-old Chelsea ahead missed the 3-0 World Cup round-of-16 win over Senegal after discovering out that his Surrey dwelling was damaged into on Saturday night. The police assertion stated authorities have been contacted Saturday night time “after the occupants of the property got here dwelling and found numerous gadgets together with jewelry and watches had been stolen.” England captain Kane stated, “Our ideas are with him and his household. It is a personal matter, however it’s by no means straightforward to see certainly one of your teammates and associates cope with one thing like that.”
