Day 17: Morocco vs Spain | Portugal vs Switzerland (Last 16 7&8)

Spain

pass pass pass pass pass

that’s all they did all game, pass pass pass

even in the penalties they passed

you pass to build up to something and they literally built up to nothing

pathetic, guttless too

delighted for the Moroccans
 
What's with all these weak side footing penalties? You would have thought Spain players would have learned from Japan. Just put your foot through them!

From a study of approx. 100,000 penalties InStat did:

The “power” shot method is the least reliable one. In 28% of occasions it does not become a score. The “accuracy” shots are way more efficient: the softer the shot, the better the chance to score.

Can't see any other studies off hand but it should be a fairly measurable thing.
 
They should have started the game the way they finished it in extra time. All that sustained attacks would have paid off I'm sure in the end. Too cautious for nearly 90 mins with all the talent they have..
It is always a balancing act. Playing that way in extra time gave Morocco 2/3 big chances on the break and Cheddar wasted them… If Spain had been take that kind of risks in the first half, Morocco’s big chances would have fallen to Bouffal and En-Nesyiri (more quality/higher risk of conceding)
 
The Group of Death nations didn't even make it past the Round of 16.
 
Their manager was recently appointed too. He worked on bringing back the likes Ziyech. He deserves a lot of credit

Great decision to let the old manager go. My understanding is that Morocco would have likely been without Ziyech and Mazraoui as well as some others at this World Cup if they hadn’t done that.
 
Morocco has conceded one goal all tournament, and that was an own goal, and they didn't let a single goal in a penalty-shootouts.

Must be a big confidence booster for their team, this stat.

I still remember the Swiss team of 2006 who got eliminated from WC despite not conceding at all. They lost round of 16 PKs to Ukraine 3-0.

Would love a Switzerland-Morocco quarterfinal.

The new greece
 
Spain won 7-0 in the opening game.

Then? a draw, a loss and another loss. 2 goals in the last 3 games!
 
Bruno and Dalot benching Ronaldo and Cancelo :lol:
 
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Didn't have the analysis on. What did Doyle say?
 
Morocco were a bit naive and a bit too gung ho at the last World Cup. They’re much more experienced and composed this time around. Great to see. Absolutely love to see it.
 
Great decision to let the old manager go. My understanding is that Morocco would have likely been without Ziyech and Mazraoui as well as some others at this World Cup if they hadn’t done that.
Exactly that. Their old manager Vahid, did a great job tbh, he built them to be very solid. He was just too strict.
 
Over 1000 passes with only 1 shot on goal to show for it. Disgraceful and disgusting football. Glad they are out.

Well done to Morocco.
 
So happy to see all these pathetic penalty attempts being saved.
 
Morocco has conceded one goal all tournament, and that was an own goal, and they didn't let a single goal in a penalty-shootouts.

Must be a big confidence booster for their team, this stat.

I still remember the Swiss team of 2006 who got eliminated from WC despite not conceding at all. They lost round of 16 PKs to Ukraine 3-0.

Would love a Switzerland-Morocco quarterfinal.
Their defense is insane. Flashbacks of France in 1998, Italy in 2006 Spain in 2010 who conceded all conceded only 2 goals in the whole tournament. It might change in the next round though.
 
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Amazing Morocco! Incredible scenes, and what a penalty to win it.

Think I'll be a Morocco fan for the rest of this tournament.
 
Spain won 7-0 in the opening game.

Then? a draw, a loss and another loss. 2 goals in the last 3 games!

Graham Souness was telling us at half time in the second game that they were the most unplayable team in the history of football.
 
Japan and Spain - awful pens. Strolling up and waiting for the keeper.

What happened to not worrying about the keeper and trusting your technique?
 
Someone tell me why cancelo is on the bench?

Santos seems to like his left-back to be left-footed, especially with Felix on the same side who doesn't really keep up the width.

And Dalot is a better right-back than Cancelo.
 
1019 passes

1 shot on target

That's just criminal, no matter what type of football you're trying to play. Late stage Wenger would blush.
 
Spain have only won 3 World Cup games since 2010 apparently:

Iran, Australia and Costa Rica