Spain’s fate at Unai Simon’s feet in Morocco clash

DOHA: Spain´s hopes of winning a second World Cup trophy in Qatar lie in the hands -- and feet -- of goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Luis Enrique´s possession-based system demands a goalkeeper brave enough to distribute to nearby team-mates, even when under immense pressure from opposition forwards. Sometimes it goes woefully wrong, but the coach has kept his faith in Simon, no matter the criticism received after errors.

Simon survived scares against Germany in the 1-1 group stage draw, while he was at fault for Japan´s first goal in their shock 2-1 win over Spain on Thursday. With Spain losing, for a few minutes La Roja were due to be eliminated.

They dodged that bullet when Germany triumphed, progressing in second place from Group E to set up Tuesday´s last 16 clash with Morocco. Japan laid the blueprint for the North African nation to follow, with Spain malfunctioning completely when the Samurai Blue overloaded their system.

"They scored two against us, and if they had needed two more, then they would have scored them too, I´m sure," said coach Luis Enrique after the game. With Spain 1-0 up and cruising against Japan at the start of the second half, Simon played the ball out to Alejandro Balde, who was immediately pressed and lost possession.

Ritsu Doan drove the loose ball past Simon at his near post from the edge of the box. Simon got a hand on it and might have kept it out, with some claiming Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea would have saved the shot.

ITV pundit Gary Neville claimed Simon seemed "a real weak point" for La Roja, later advocating for De Gea. However he was never likely to be selected, with Luis Enrique bringing David Raya from Brentford and Robert Sanchez of Brighton as Simon´s back-ups, two goalkeepers more comfortable with the ball at their feet -- and who create fewer headlines.

They will have low expectations of featuring, with Luis Enrique making it clear that the 25-year-old is his No 1. "If Unai didn´t play well with his feet, he couldn´t be the goalkeeper of the national team," said Luis Enrique after Spain´s draw with Germany. Unai Simon has everything Spain´s goalkeeper needs." Luis Enrique says when Simon errs it does not worry him, as long as he is carrying out the plan set for him.

TODAY’S FIXTURE

Spain vs Morocco

8:00 pm

PST