Spain 2-2 Morocco: Spain top Group B after dramatic turnaround

Published on: 26 June 2018

A remarkable late turnaround saw Spain top Group B after they drew 2-2 with Morocco in Kaliningrad on Monday night.

Iran's last-minute leveller against Portugal, paired with Iago Aspas' stoppage-time equaliser for Spain, helped by VAR, mean Spain will now play hosts Russia in the last 16 on Sunday, while Portugal face Uruguay on Saturday in Sochi.

Khalid Boutaib put Morocco ahead early on (14), finishing low after a mix-up on halfway from Spain, but Isco equalised (19) following a classic Spain move.

With just nine minutes remaining, substitute Youssef En Nesyri rose highest to head home a corner, but in stoppage time Aspas' superb flick finish found the far corner, despite initially being ruled out for offside, before Iran equalised against Portugal moments later.

There was controversy early on as Gerard Pique's two-footed challenge on Boutaib went unpunished, but Morocco took the lead after a mix-up at the back between Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos, allowing Boutaib to race through on goal and slot under David de Gea.

Spain showed their quality five minutes later to equalise as Isco finished off a superb team move from close range, created by Iniesta at the byline.

Boutaib was allowed through on goal shortly after, but this time De Gea stood tall to block from eight yards, while at the other end Sergio Busquets sent an unmarked header from a corner over the bar.

Nordin Amrabat came within inches of a goal-of-the-tournament contender as his effort from 25-yards crashed off the bar, while at the other end Isco's header back across goal was cleared off the line by Romain Saiss.

With Spain in second place and Portugal winning against Iran, En Nesyri further compounded Spain's misery and looked to be ending their 22-game unbeaten run after a superb header from Faycal Fajr's corner.

But in stoppage time, Aspas' flick from Dani Carvajal's right-wing cross found the net, and after deliberation with the VAR, the goal was correctly awarded with the former Liverpool man just onside.

Iran then equalised to complete the most unlikely of turnarounds, giving Spain a clash with the hosts, avoiding Uruguay, who have won all three group games without conceding.

Spain now face Russia in the last 16 on Sunday in Moscow at 2pm.

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