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Ammon News - Morocco coach Walid Regragui says managing players’ emotions will be key when they take on Spain for place in the World Cup quarter-finals – a match he labelled the “biggest” in the country’s history.

The North Africans face the 2010 champions on Tuesday in the last-16 clash at Education City Stadium as they contest the knockout stage for the first time in 36 years.

One of the real success stories of Qatar 2022, Morocco qualified for the last 16 by topping their group. Unbeaten at the tournament, they defeated Belgium and Canada, while also holding Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, to a draw. The country has never before reached a World Cup quarter-finals.

Speaking at a prematch press conference on Monday, Regragui said: “We haven't been at that level for 36 years, so me and my staff will have to manage the players' emotions.

“It is the biggest game in our history, but I hope the biggest will be the next one [the quarter-finals]. Our elders cannot replay their [1986 last-16] game against West Germany while the Spain game is ahead of us. I will tell the players to enjoy themselves, as millions in Morocco will be watching.

“We have to accept that Spain will have possession. We have our strengths; we abandoned possession to Belgium and Croatia and it worked well. Our plan is that they don't know what to do with the ball.”

In Spain, Morocco go up against a side perhaps with a point to prove. After opening their World Cup campaign with a 7-0 rout of Costa Rica, Luis Enrique’s side drew with Germany and were then beaten by Japan. Thus, they finished second in Group E.