World Cup 2018, Spain vs Morocco: 4 Spanish players to watch out for

Modified Jun 25, 2018 14:23 GMT

Spanish team in training ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup match against Morocco

Spain are one of the top contenders to lift the trophy at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Having won their maiden World Cup in 2010, Spain will be looking to replicate the same success in 2018 with some of the best players in the world at their disposal.

Despite their last-minute coaching problems, Spain have been excellent on the field in their first two matches of the group. Having the perfect blend of youth and experience in their squad, Spain are good in all three departments i.e. defence, midfield, and attack. They don't have any weakness and hence are a team to watch out for.

Being held for a 3-3 draw by Portugal and having won their second game 1-0 against a determined Iranian defence, Spain will either have to beat Morocco or secure a draw against them in order to qualify for the knockout round. It certainly won't be an easy task as Morocco are a far better attacking and risk-taking side than Iran, who would not sit back and look to score early against Spain.

The experience of Iniesta, Ramos, Pique, and Busquets will come in handy for Spain in an important group stage match like this. It will be a thrilling encounter for the fans to watch. Let us look at the 4 Spanish players to watch out for in today's game against Morocco.

#4 Isco

Isco is one of the most promising youngsters to watch out for at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Having got exceptional playmaking abilities, Isco has good pace, stamina, match awareness and is athletic. He is also an extremely powerful long-range shooter and a good set-piece specialist for Spain.

Having being denied by the bar a wonderful goal from distance in the first match against Portugal, Isco has been a fascinating player who likes to keep possession and looks to penetrate the opposition's defence with his pace. In the second game against Iran, Isco looked threatening but was denied any chance due to Iran's solid defensive display.

His exceptional stamina has amazed a lot of Spanish supporters and football fans in general. His speed, agility, and control over the ball will create ripples in the Moroccan defence and his performance will be fascinating to watch.

#3 Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta is a legendary midfielder who is probably playing his last World Cup. Being the best playmaker in the world at present, he still has got a good pace, terrific passing abilities and the dribbling skills to run at defenders.

Having represented Spain in 129 matches and scoring 13 goals, Iniesta will forever be remembered by the Spanish fans for scoring the winning goal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup which secured Spain their maiden World Cup title.

Iniesta has performed exceedingly well in the first two matches against Portugal and Iran at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His attacking instinct and a quick pass to Diego Costa led to Spain breaking the deadlock against Iran and winning the game against the stubborn Iranian defence 1-0.

Since Iniesta is the creator of many attacks for Spain, Morocco will have to be careful against Iniesta and should look to close him down quickly.

#2 Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos is one of the best defenders at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He is a no-nonsense defender who has a great tactical mind, positional sense and is superb at heading the ball into the opposition's goal during set pieces.

Being the captain of the Spaniards, Ramos has led the team exceptionally and has always motivated players who have made mistakes. Despite Spain conceding 3 goals against Portugal in a 3 all draw, Ramos gave a superb defensive display in that match and was quite effective against his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Against Iran, Ramos was successfully able to negate the few threats thrown by them in Spain's penalty area.

Ramos will stand like a rock between Morocco and the Spanish goal. Hence, it will be difficult for the adventurous and attacking style of Morocco attackers to get past Sergio Ramos.

#1 Diego Costa

Diego Costa has been in terrific goal-scoring form at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Being one of the best poachers in the world, Costa has got speed, alertness and is a cool finisher. Having a very shrewd mindset, it becomes quite difficult for a defender to defend against a player like Diego Costa.

Having scored two marvellous goals against Portugal in Spain's first match at the 2018 World Cup, Costa played a crucial in Iran's own goal against Spain in their second group stage match. He will look to increase his goal tally against Morocco and in the process, help to secure Spain a place in the knockout stage.

The Moroccan defenders will have to be alert and should stop Costa from running behind their defence. They should not give him any space to work within today's crucial match.

Edited by Amit Mishra