FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 - Group B

Group B seems to be more straight forward. Spain and Portugal look like the clear favourites to qualify, however they will face each other in the first match. Whoever loses, will suffer a lot of pressure in the second game. Both nations share the iberian peninsula and a lot of history, including football with 35 overall matches.

Spain has won 16 of those, with 13 draws and only 6 wins for the portuguese side. Only one took place in a World Cup, back in South Africa 2010 when Spain took home the round of 16 duel with a solitary goal from David Villa. Eventually, the spaniards went on to lift the Trophy. The other five official matches are almost ancient history with 3 wins and 1 draw in favour of Spain during the 1934 and 1950 World Cup Qualifiers.

But before this power clash, Morocco will be facing Iran. The winner (if there is) can potentially speculate with a draw against the possible loser between Spain and Portugal. Personally, I believe Morocco has the upper hand thanks to their football style: dinamic, offensive and unprejudiced. Although the star is center back Mehdi Benatia, the africans have interesting attacking players with experience in Bundesliga, Eredivisie and La Liga. The only precedent is a 1-1 draw ina friendly match.

As per the rest of the matches, Spain and Morocco faced in 1961 in a World Cup Playoffs with the europeans winning both matches. For Spain, it will be the first ever pairing with Iran.

Finally, Portugal beated Iran 2-0 in the 2006 World Cup and 3-0 in a friendly back in 1972. But Morocco has won the only match ever against Portugal, a solid 3-1 during the 1986 World Cup. Can the Lions de l'Atlas repeat themselves and actually surprise the world by knocking out the European champions?

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