La Roja has never lost in an official game against Morocco, and they are set to meet for the fourth time at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a clash that carries historical weight for both nations and their fans in North America. This fixture sits at a crossroads of tradition and surprise, with Spain aiming to extend a clean record while Morocco pursues a breakthrough against a European powerhouse known for its tactical discipline.
The Spain national team has already secured a place in the World Cup knockout stages. Finishing second in their group in Qatar 2022, La Roja now faces Morocco, a side whose rise captured global attention by topping a group that included strong teams such as Croatia and Belgium. The Moroccan surge has energized supporters and offered a narrative of resilience and strategic evolution under their current leadership, making this matchup one of the most anticipated in the post-group phase schedule.
The history of the Spanish national team vs. Morocco: matches, wins, draws and losses
This will be the second World Cup meeting between Morocco and Spain. Their first encounter occurred during the 2018 group stage, a dramatic 2–2 draw that featured a late Iago Aspas goal—a moment that briefly tilted the scoreboards toward a Moroccan upset before the final whistle sealed a shared result. That game remains a memorable illustration of how even seasoned contenders can face tense, high-stakes moments on football’s biggest stage.
Beyond that World Cup chapter, Spain has never suffered a defeat in their three prior meetings with Morocco, tallying two victories and one draw. The two Spanish wins came in the 1962 World Cup qualifiers, played in November 1961, with Spain edging out a 0-1 win away and then securing a 3-2 triumph on home soil. Those results established an early pattern of Spanish competitiveness in head-to-head clashes with the North African side, a pattern that fans have cited with a mix of pride and caution in subsequent campaigns.
The upcoming fixture is historically significant for Morocco as well, marking their second appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds. Their journey to the Round of 16 echoes their 1986 campaign, when they advanced but were edged out by Germany in a narrow 1-0 defeat. Morocco’s progress in the modern era has been characterized by a balanced blend of speed, tactical flexibility, and a robust team spirit that has allowed them to compete with some of the game’s heavyweights on the global stage.
From Spain’s perspective, the encounter represents a first-time experience for beating an African opponent in a World Cup knockout pathway. In the pool stages they have faced African nations five times previously, recording three wins, one draw, and one loss. The lone defeat in those matches came much longer ago, while the more recent history favors Spain through a string of dependable performances. Notably, the 1998 victory over Nigeria—built on a foundation that included current coach Luis Enrique Martínez as a starter—stands out as a reminder of Spain’s long-standing talent depth and tactical versatility.
Analysts and fans have noted that this clash blends traditional European technique with Africa-wide athleticism and evolving tactical approaches. It’s a game that tests Spain’s positional play against Morocco’s pressing strategies, while offering Morocco a platform to translate momentum from the group stage into a memorable and potentially historic run in the tournament. Observers from Goal highlight the significance of both teams approaching the match with clarity about their identity, strengths, and the pressure that comes with a World Cup knockout scenario.