FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE, Morocco vs Spain: Llorente starts for Spain, Morata on the bench

20:18 (IST)

Morocco, Spain and close relations

As close neighbours, there are also a lot of ties between Morocco and Spain.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and striker Youssef En-Nesyri both play in Spain for Sevilla. Right back Achraf Hakimi, who represents PSG, was born in Madrid. Manager Walid Regragui played in Spain with Racing Santander.

Many of Morocco’s players speak Spanish and the team’s medical staff is Spanish.

“Morocco is a country for which we have a great relationship,” Luis Enrique said. “It’s a festival of football.”

20:07 (IST)

Spain are sixth favourites for the title: Opta

As per data analytics company Opta, Spain are the sixth favourites for the FIFA World Cup title. Brazil, who convincingly swept aside Korea last night, have more than a 25% chance. Behind them are Argentina, France, England, Netherlands. Below Spain are Portugal, Croatia, Switzerland and Morocco

19:50 (IST)

Morocco vs Spain in numbers:

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

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)

Alvaro Morata, on the bench today, 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 was David Villa in 2010

19:41 (IST)

Gavi creating records one after another

18 – Aged 18 years and 123 days Gavi