Spain vs Morocco Review

Spain 2-2 Morocco 

Iago Aspas scored a stoppage-time equaliser - with the aid of VAR - as an unconvincing Spain team scraped a draw with Morocco to top Group B and secure a last-16 tie against World Cup hosts Russia.

Youssef En-Nesyri, who plays for Malaga in Spain, looked to have won it for Herve Renard's side when he powered in a superb header from fellow substitute Faycal Fajr's corner with 10 minutes to play. 

Iago Aspas flicked in Dani Carvajal's low cross to make it 2-2, with referee Ravshan Irmatov initially disallowing the goal before overturning the decision, giving Spain their lifeline.

Spain won the group on goals scored as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by Iran - but had a both Iberian teams had a tough night.

A dreadful mix-up between veterans Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos had allowed Khalid Boutaib to stride through and give Morocco a surprise 14th-minute lead.

Iniesta made up for his errors five minutes later by helping create a sublime equaliser, exchanging passes with Diego Costa and getting to the byeline before cutting back for Isco to steer high into the net.

But Spain again looked wobbly in defence when pressed by a committed and aggressive Morocco side, with Boutaib denied a goal by the legs of David de Gea after wonderkid Hakim Ziyech's quick throw sent him clear.

Nordin Amrabat was deeply unlucky not to score in the second half as his shot came back off both the post and bar with De Gea frozen still, and Isco was denied a second goal when his header was diverted wide by Romain Saiss - playing instead of dropped captain, and Juve star Medhi Benatia before the late drama occurred.