World Cup Predictions: Spain to end Africa's hopes?

Morocco remains the last hope of Africa at the World Cup, can they beat Spain to keep the flag flying? (Photo credit: MWN) Spain vs Morocco ...

Morocco remains the last hope of Africa at the World Cup, can they beat Spain to keep the flag flying? (Photo credit: MWN)

Spain vs Morocco

Education City Stadium. Qatar.

4:00pm

All of Africa’s hopes would rest on Morocco as the North Africans battle Spain for one of the remaining two slots in the quarter-final of the ongoing World Cup.

Brazil and Croatia booked their place in the quarter-final on Monday with wins over South Korea and Japan respectively while the Netherlands, Argentina, England, and France all advanced against their opponents earlier in the week.

Spain shockingly qualified as runners-up in a group that Japan won while Morocco pulled off the seemingly impossible to top a group that had Croatia and Belgium with the Red Devils dropping off as third at the end of the group stage.

Senegal, the only other African side to survive the group stage lost to England and all hopes now rest on Morocco to continue flying the African flag. Does Morocco stand any chance against Luis Henrique’s Spain in the round of 16?

Spain has underperformed despite their opening-day annihilation of Costa Rica, while they still remain a tournament favorite, not everyone would expect them to roll over Morocco. How will the only surviving African side approach this?

Morocco cannot afford to sit deep and invite the press; counter-attacking football has helped them so far with the soccer punch delivered against Belgium coming to mind but with Spain parading fast players, long balls to Yousuf En-Nesri could be the way out.

Hakim Ziyech will prove a nuisance on the right and Jordi Alba will have it all to do to stop him but the midfield is where the key battle would be, would Henrique return with Rodrigo in defense or return to the status quo?

Spain will attack relentlessly, can Morocco stop them? Discipline is another thing the Africans must observe, the Spaniards will be clever and Morocco must be wary of their antics. It's a game everyone is waiting for. 

Verdict: Spain to advance