WORLD CUP TV
MOROCCO VS. SPAIN
Where: Education City Stadium
Time: 7 a.m. PST
TV: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock Premium
The buzz: Morocco and Spain occupy different continents — Morocco is in Africa, Spain in Europe — though they’re separated by just eight miles. The two nations’ soccer histories are separated by far more than that, however. Morocco, which was part of France until 1956, is making just its second appearance in the round of 16 and first since 1986 while Spain, a former World Cup champion, has missed the knockout rounds just once this century. But in this tournament, unbeaten Morocco arguably has been the better team, winning a group that included No. 2 Belgium and Croatia with a smothering defense that allowed only an own goal in group play. On offense the Moroccans have been incredibly efficient, getting four goals — from four players — on 21 shots. Only four teams finished group play with fewer shots. Spain, which lost its group-play finale to Japan to finish second, pounded Costa Rica 7-0 in its opener but has gotten just two goals, both from Álvaro Morata, since then. Morata finished group play tied for the tournament lead with three scores. Buoyed by its performance against Costa Rica, Spain has completed a World Cup-best 2,384 passes in the group stage, marking the return of the short-passing, possession-based style of play the team perfected in its 2010 title run. Spain also tied England for the goals lead with nine in group play.
PORTUGAL VS. SWITZERLAND
Where: Lusail Stadium
Time: 11 a.m. PST
TV: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock Premium
The buzz: Cristiano Ronaldo has made it past the final 16 of a World Cup just once and that was in 2006, when his brilliant career was just getting started. He needs a win here if he hopes to make a final run at a World Cup title, the one prize he’s never won. Portugal won its group despite conceding a stoppage-time goal to South Korea to lose its final game, one in which it rested six starters. And while Ronaldo scored the first of his team’s six goals in the tournament on a penalty kick, he hasn’t scored since. Adding to Portugal’s worries, Paris Saint-Germain wingback Nuno Mendes is out for the rest of the tournament after sustaining a thigh injury in group play and clubmate Danilo Pereira, a center back, injured three ribs during a training session, leaving his availability in doubt. Switzerland’s only loss came by a goal to Brazil, sandwiched around one-goal wins over Cameroon and Serbia. A win here would be historic since the Swiss have never gone past the fourth game, their furthest advance in the World Cup coming in 1954 when the tournament featured just 16 teams. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer and defender Nico Elvedi, who both missed the Serbia game because of illness, are expected to be available.