The Conquest for The Pillars Of Hercules
(0.)
Spain & Morocco have seen Co-Op, but
more mortal enemies throughout recorded
history... a love / hate psycho-game really.
1.)
2nd WC of Morocco vs. Spain; 1st in 2018
Group stages: Marroquíes twice led, but a
90+1 last-minute equaliser by the Forward
Attacker Iago Aspas Juncal saw a 2-2 Draw.
2.)
1st time Spain faces an African side in a WC
knockout match, having played African teams
5 times before in the group stage (W3 D1 L1):
Nigeria's only 1 of 'em to beat Spain 3-2 ('98),
& current-mgr. Luis Enrique started for Spain.
3.)
Spain were eliminated in Round of 16 stage in
2018 WC by host-land Russia on penalties after
a 1-1 draw. So the last time Spain progressed
from Rnd16 stage was 2010 WC that they won:
116th minute of Extra-time as Andrés Iniesta, a
midfielder from Fuentealbilla who only played
on his national team since May of 2006, scored
the decider before 92,000 in Soccer City; Dutch
all around the world were in shock, & disbelief.
4.)
Morocco's 2nd time in the WC's knockout stage;
1st was a 1-Nil loss to Germs in Rnd16 in 1986.
5.)
Spain's W2 D1 vs. Morocco; Spain's 2 wins were
in qualifying play-off legs in November of 1961
for the then upcoming 1962 World Cup.