Morocco vs Spain: World Cup head-to-head record
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Morocco and Spain have met twice in World Cup history (1930–2022), with neither side recording a victory in 90 minutes: the record stands at 0 wins for Morocco, 0 wins for Spain, and 2 draws. However, when knockout-stage context is included, Morocco famously eliminated Spain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar via a penalty shootout, making them the moral victors of their most recent encounter.
The two meetings span very different eras of the tournament — a group-stage thriller in Russia 2018 and a seismic Round of 16 upset in Qatar 2022 — and together they tell the story of Morocco's rise as a genuine World Cup force.
All-time World Cup Head-to-Head Summary
Across their two World Cup encounters, Morocco and Spain are perfectly level on paper — two draws in regulation, no goals difference separating them over 180 minutes of football. Yet the story is richer than the bare statistics suggest. Spain arrived at both tournaments as one of European football's most decorated sides, while Morocco grew from plucky group-stage participant in 2018 to genuine giant-killers in 2022.
Match-by-Match Record
| Year | Stage | Score | Result (90 min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Group Stage (Matchday 12) | Spain 2-2 Morocco | Draw | Russia; Group B |
| 2022 | Round of 16 | Morocco 0-0 Spain | Draw (Morocco won 3-0 on pens) | Qatar; Morocco advanced |
What the Record Means for 2026
Morocco's perfect penalty shootout victory in 2022 — stopping all three Spanish kicks — cemented their status as a team Spain simply cannot take lightly. Should the two sides meet at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico (with Morocco also a co-host nation), the psychological edge firmly belongs to the Atlas Lions. Fans can follow all 2026 fixtures and live scores at Bola 2026 to track whether a third chapter in this rivalry unfolds.
Frequently asked questions
Has Spain ever beaten Morocco at the World Cup?
No. Spain have never beaten Morocco in a World Cup match in normal time. Their two meetings (2018 and 2022) both ended in draws, and in 2022 Morocco eliminated Spain on penalties in the Round of 16.
What happened in the Morocco vs Spain 2022 World Cup match?
The 2022 Round of 16 match finished 0-0 after 120 minutes. Morocco then won the penalty shootout 3-0, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saving all three Spanish spot-kicks, sending Morocco into the quarter-finals.
How many times have Morocco and Spain played at the World Cup?
Morocco and Spain have played exactly twice at the World Cup — in the 2018 group stage (Spain 2-2 Morocco) and in the 2022 Round of 16 (Morocco 0-0 Spain, Morocco won on penalties).