The last two round of 16 take place this Tuesday.
Morocco, surprise team of the first round, challenges Spain, one of the favorites for the final victory.
The other round of 16 will see a European duel between Portugal and Switzerland, who had eliminated France at the last Euro.
The program
4 p.m.: Morocco - Spain (BeIN Sports 1)
8 p.m.: Portugal - Switzerland (TF1, BeIN Sports 1)
The poster: Morocco-Spain
Eight days after their exploit at the expense of Belgium (2-0), Morocco challenges another contender for the final victory, Spain.
First in group F to everyone's surprise in front of the finalist (Croatia) and the 3rd (Belgium) of the last World Cup thanks to two successes and a draw, the Atlas Lions do not want to stop there during the second 8th of World Cup final in their history.
36 years ago, the Moroccans, led in particular by former Racingmen Abdelkrim Merry Krimau and Aziz Bouderbala, lost at the end of the game against the FRG (0-1) following a free kick from Lothar Matthäus .
Morocco will meet Spain on Tuesday four years after their last confrontation (2-2) during the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. "It will be a very difficult match for us, against one of the best teams in the world. on the football level, with a lot of ambition, one of the favorites for the final victory.
But we have things to show off, we have prepared well, we have one more day of recovery, said Moroccan coach Walid Regragui.
We hope to create a surprise because, to be honest, if we eliminate Spain it will be a nice surprise.
They have the DNA of major competitions that we don't have.
This team has been playing the same way for 15-20 years, with high possession,
tiki-taka
, with always talented players in midfield.
They want the ball, they don't leave it to the opponent, and their behavior never changes on a pitch.
»
Read alsoWorld Cup: Walid Regragui, Morocco coach, told by his childhood friends in Corbeil
The former AS Corbeil player, born in the city of Essonne, continues.
“My job with the staff is to balance the emotions, that they feel it's a game for history but that they don't have too much pressure.
Here is the formula: no complexes, no regrets, and play football.
Opposite, Spain lost their luster after their recital against Costa Rica (7-0) in the first match.
Luis Enrique's men were caught by Germany (1-1) then lost to Japan (1-2).
Even if it remains the favorite of the confrontation against Morocco, La Roja wants to be cautious.
“They have very good quality players and they work very well collectively, it will be a very difficult and very balanced match, announces defensive midfielder Rodri.
They eliminated Belgium.
We will have to be in a big day to beat them.
»
Player to watch: Breel Embolo
He is one of the most prominent players in the group stage.
Generous, powerful and efficient, Breel Embolo put his stone to the building in the qualification of the Swiss for the round of 16.
After the moving match against Cameroon, where he scored the only goal against his country of birth, the Swiss striker did it again against Serbia (3-2) in the decisive match.
The powerful centre-forward confirms his excellent start to the season with AS Monaco, which he joined this summer from M'Gladbach (Bundesliga) against compensation of €12.5 million.
Author of 8 goals and 4 assists in all competitions with the Rock club, Breel Embolo (25) has clearly passed a milestone this season.
The sentence:
"I did not like Cristiano Ronaldo's attitude at all"
Portugal coach Fernando Santos did not like Cristiano Ronaldo's attitude when he was replaced in the 65th minute of the third group stage match against South Korea (1-2).
And he made it known at a press conference by criticizing his captain.
“During the game, I didn't hear anything.
I only saw him quarrel with a Korean.
I've since seen the pictures and didn't like it at all.
These matters are settled internally.
They are settled.
Period.
" Relaunched to find out if the fivefold Golden Ball - announced at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia - could be returned to the bench against Switzerland, he assured "The starting team, the players will know it when they arrive in the changing room.
As always since I have been in this position.
»
The number:
2
Like the number of qualification of Portugal for the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
For his 8th participation in a final phase, the Portuguese are aiming for a 3rd place among the world Top 8.
The 2016 European champion reached this stage of the competition twice in 1966 then in 2006. With success because the Seleçao then qualified for the semi-finals (beaten 2-1 in 1966 by England then 1 -0 in 2006 against France).
