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The 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Monday, June 25 evening with former champions Spain needing VAR to draw Morocco 2-2 and top Group B at the Kaliningrad Stadium.
Spain wanted to play a wait and watch game, but Morocco, already eliminated, wanted to show what they are made off and they got a surprise lead in the 14th minute as a misunderstanding between Iniesta and Sergio Ramos allowed Khalid Boutaib to steal the ball, run towards goal and tunnel David de Gea.
But Spain reacted immediately and upped their game. The 19th minute, Iniesta in the box, squares the ball and there is Isco to equalise. Thereafter the match cooled down again with rare chances at both ends. At the break the game was 1-1.
Morocco again started the second session with better chances, while Spain needed a while to settle down but nothing happened at both ends.
Things got exciting again towards the end of the game. The 81st minute, corner for Morocco from Fajr and a powerful header from En-Nesyri. Morocco were ahead again and Spain was in danger of finishing second or maybe third and be eliminated.
But Spain equalised in the first minute of added time, a Carvajal cross and a Iago Aspas back heal into the net, which was only confirmed by VAR gave Spain a 2-2 draw which took them over the line and even allowed them to top the group with Portugal also only drawing, while Morocco leave Russia on a high after an impressive draw.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Group B
Spain 2-2 (1-1) Morocco
Goals: 0-1 Khalid Boutaib (14′), 1-1 Isco (19′), 1-2 Youssef En-Nesyri (81′), 2-2 Iago Aspas (90’+1)
Spain: de Gea – Carvajal, Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba – Thiago (74′ Asensio), Busquets – Silva (84′ Rodrigo Moreno), Iniesta, Isco – Diego Costa (74′ Iago Aspas)
Subs: Kepa, Reina, Azpilicueta, Monreal, Nacho, Odriozola, Koke, Saul Niguez, Vazquez
Morocco: Munir – Dirar, Saiss, da Costa, Achraf – Boussoufa, El Ahmadi – N. Amrabat, Belhanda (63′ Fajr), Ziyech (85′ Bouhaddouz) – Boutaib (72′ En-Nesyri)
Subs: Bono, Benatia, Mendyl, S. Amrabat, Carcela-Gonzalez, Harit, El Kaabi
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
Man of the Match: Isco (Spain)
