The Moroccan national team achieved a historic qualification
for the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, after eliminating its Spanish
counterpart on Tuesday evening.
Morocco won a penalty shootout over Spain 3-0, after the
match and the two extra periods ended in a goalless draw.
This is the greatest achievement of the Moroccan national
team in the World Cup, after it reached the round of 16 in the 1986 World Cup,
which was held in Mexico.
Analysis of the match between Morocco and Spain today
Realistic plays
Walid Regragui, the coach of the Moroccan national team,
started the match with great realism, and did not change anything in the “Atlas
Lions” squad for the Canada match, except to push Salim Amlah in the middle of
the field, instead of Abdel Hamid Al-Sabri.
That change came due to the ability and commitment of the
defensive salts of Abdul Hamid Al-Sabri, for fear of the Spanish national
team's penetration from depth.
The Moroccan national team appeared with a 4-1-4-1 plan, as
it was committed to defense throughout the 120 minutes, and was facing the
opponent starting from the middle of the field, and played on the
counterattack, taking advantage of its speed in transformations.
Despite the Spanish national team's possession throughout
the match, the "Lions" adhered to an excellent defense, and no
collective errors appeared at the organizational level. Rather, some individual
failures appeared, but they were recognised, such as the spaces between the two
defense hearts and behind them, in addition to the exaggeration of goalkeeper
Yassin Bono in keeping with the ball.
Enrique's mistakes caused Spain to lose to Morocco
Spain coach Luis Enrique surprised everyone by pushing
Marcos Llorente on the right front, despite the possession of the duo Cesar
Azpilicueta and Dani Carvajal.
The goal of pushing Purente is his young age and his ability
to run in front of the Moroccan left-front duo represented by Nassir Mazraoui
and Sofiane Boufal, as the Atletico Madrid star appeared with defensive duties
throughout the 120 minutes, and succeeded in limiting the danger of the duo at
times.
Despite Llorente's presence with defensive duties, the
Moroccan national team rejected the initiative and settled for counter-attacks
led by Boufal from the left side, who was later replaced in favor of Abdel
Samad Al-Zalzouli.
In addition, Enrique pushed Marco Asensio as a striker from
the start instead of Alvaro Morata, due to his great ability to move left and
right in addition to putting pressure on Sofiane Amrabat, Morocco's focal point
when building the attack.
Soufiane Amrabat, the
star of Morocco, against Spain in the 2022 World Cup
Soufiane Amrabat, Morocco's focal point, was the undisputed
star of the match, as he thwarted most of the Spanish national team's
penetrations from the middle of the field, in addition to his great coverage
behind the backs, in addition to the defensive depth that he performed at
times.
Amrabat was the main financier of the Moroccan national
team's attacks, as he was the first element on which the attack was built, by
distributing the game left and right or sending long balls forward.
Despite the constant pressure on Amrabat with one or two
players to prevent him from going out with the ball, in addition to the
presence of the Spanish trio in the middle of the field, represented by Javi,
Pedri and Busquets. However, he always succeeded in building the attack or
obtaining a violation as a result of his physical strength and abundant effort.
Amazing commitment
The Moroccan team appeared with a clear tactical commitment,
but the right front was the most committed and specific on the part of the duo
Ashraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech.
Ziyash, in particular, played strong defensive roles and
acted as a blocking wall when Hakimi advanced in some balls, despite his main
position as a right winger.
On the other hand, Enrique tried to put pressure on this
front in various ways with the presence of Ferran Torres and Jordi Alba, as
well as throwing the young player Jaffe in this area, but they all failed to threaten
Morocco's goal from this front.
In the first extra half, Enrique tried to put more pressure
when he decided to take out Torres and Alba and push Alejandro Balde and Anasto
Fati, but despite that Hakimi and Ziyech appeared with great physical superiority
and prevented the duo from penetrating as well, so that the "Lions"
succeeded in total tactically outperforming "La Roja".
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