1 hour ago
Key events
Preamble
Hello and invited to 1 of this World Cup’s astir enticing matchups, successful some beingness beauty – Estadio Monterrey is arguably nan astir picturesque of nan big stadiums – and storylines.
Netherlands v Morocco: nan only last-32 necktie involving teams who vanished nan group shape pinch 7 points and who entered nan tourney wrong nan apical 10 of Fifa’s rankings. The Dutch vanished apical of Group F aft drafting Japan and beating Sweden and Tunisia; nan Atlas Lions were 2nd successful Group C, drafting Brazil and beating Scotland and Haiti.
The Netherlands were 1 of conscionable 3 teams to deed nan 10-goal people during nan group stage. Inserting Brian Brobbey arsenic their striker has added a caller magnitude to their last third, and now Ronald Koeman’s broadside are pressing to make an precocious tally successful nan knockouts. Morocco showed their value and attacking flair done nan group stage, dominating early successful their tie pinch Brazil and uncovering a reliable goalscorer successful Bayern-bound Ismael Saibari. This last-32 matchup will beryllium their sternest trial yet.
These 2 sides person a history. Their first-ever gathering was 32 (fitting!) years agone coming astatine nan 1994 World Cup. (The Dutch won 2-1.) Many Moroccans moved to nan Netherlands successful nan 1960s, and nan thoroughfare shot played betwixt generations of Dutch and Moroccan kids has produced apical players for some sides. Three of Morocco’s players successful this World Cup squad were calved successful nan Netherlands.
I’ll beryllium backmost soon pinch squad news and more. In nan meantime, nonstop immoderate thoughts to [email protected]. And tune successful to Rob Smyth’s liveblog for the decorativeness of Germany v Paraguay!
Ella will beryllium present shortly. In nan meantime, here’s a look from Graham Ruthven’s regular watch guideline connected what to cognize astir this last-32 matchup:
What to watch for
By scoring 8 goals successful their past 2 games, nan Netherlands person laid down a marker astatine this World Cup. The preamble of Brian Brobbey arsenic an orthodox focal constituent successful onslaught has wholly changed nan move of Ronald Koeman’s side, making them conscionable arsenic vulnerable arsenic immoderate different squad near successful this competition.
Morocco person besides made a affirmative impression. Indeed, nan 2022 semi-finalists are unbeaten successful 3 games and person evolved their crippled since nan past World Cup. The Atlas Lions are now capable to power games pinch nan shot and person a number of earthy creators. They don’t, however, person an elite-level forward.
Player to watch: Brian Brobbey, Netherlands – The Sunderland guardant is simply a beingness threat, but besides does a batch to bring nan different Dutch attackers into nan game. Cody Gakpo, for example, is amended for having Brobbey to play off.
