Spain finished their Group F dominance with a surprisingly tight clash against the eliminated Morocco, finishing 4-3 to tee up a FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 knockout match-up with Kazakhstan.
Things began very much to the script, namely Spain dominating. Even so, Europe’s reigning champions felt a little out of tune as they failed to find that clockwork synchronicity that is often so accessible to them.
While the collective quality wasn’t quite there, the individual talent was very much in attendance, with Rodrigo superbly picking out Lozano to open the scoring. But Morocco hit on the counter through Adil Habil to disrupt the easy narrative.
Again, though, individualism came to the fore, with Aicardo firing superbly from all of 16 metres, before Raul Campos added some comfort to the half-time scoreline. While Morocco’s collective defensive effort was blunting Spain’s usual incision, a flash of coordination at the other end halved the deficit, capped by a fine roll and shot from Yousef El Mazray.
Spain’s pressing and possession play ensured they controlled the tempo, but the game remained decidedly tight, with Aicardo going close when hitting the upright. But individual brilliance can go both ways, with Lozano showing first with a fine solo effort, before being upstaged by Habil, beating Paco Sedano from inside his own half in unbelievable fashion.
Morocco pressed on, roared on from the stands, but they couldn't get that elusive first Futsal World Cup point. Spain will take on Kazakhstan in the last 16 in Medellin on Wednesday.
