Spain Advances on a VAR-Approved Draw against Morocco

This year's World Cup group stage has been exactly what La Roja needed.

Dudes were challenged, but not so much that their making Group B's top two was ever in doubt.

Spain came into the World Cup under the shroud of manager Julen Lopetegui being suddenly shown the door after signing on with Real Madrid without telling the national team's brass.

So, these three matches have been an orientation of sorts for the squad under his replacement, their trainer-til-now Fernando Hierro.

 

Victory over Iran after a draw with Portugal saw Spain improving under Hierro, which paid dividends when Morocco showed up ready to rock despite being eliminated.

La Roja broke from the gate well in control, but it was those feisty Lions of the Atlas who got on the board first. Dudes surprised Spain 14 minutes into it when Khalid Boutaib completed a nifty finish under David de Gea:

 

That goal seemed to ratchet up the Spaniards another notch, as it took them only five minutes to reply.

Andres Iniesta, who'd lost the ball that led to Morocco’s goal, atoned for his ways when he delivered custom service to Isco who proceeded to chip in the tying goal:

Spain seemed distracted in the second half, as if they were more preoccupied with the prospect of Portugal winning their match in progress than they were with the game at hand.

Their supporters were no doubt as displeased as their manager.

 

Easier said than done, apparently, as the Portuguese were on their way to a win. That put more pressure on Spain to produce, but it just wasn't happening. Dudes controlled the action but fell apart on the finishing.

After all, a draw wouldn't have been the worst result for them. A loss, on the other hand ...

The 81st minute offered the real wake-up call, however, when Morocco surprised once again, registering their second goal a là Youssef En-Nesyri.

 

 

Now desperate, the Spanish threw all they had into a response.

It looked like they did enough when Iago Aspas big-timed his agile backheel of a goal in the 91st minute, but it was negated by an offside call.

However, unlike the ref who ignored technology in the Germany-Sweden match, this one went to the almighty VAR:

Well, how about that?

Full marks to the Moroccans for an impressive showing. Maybe they can build on it, but this one rightfully belonged to Spain.

They'd be well advised to ramp up their learning curve as the Round of 16 approaches.

Facing Russia in Russia will be quite the task.