Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Education City, Qatar

Image source, BBC Sport

There’s only a tiny pocket of Spain fans here – they are sharing their ‘end’ with Morocco fans and only properly fill a couple of blocks of seats in the lower tier, although there are a few more of them scattered around the stadium.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Education City, Qatar

Image source, Fifa

Remember when England manager Graham Taylor’s face was replaced by a turnip by a tabloid newspaper – along with the headline ‘Swedes2-1 Turnips’?, external

Well, Morocco manager Walid Regragui got similar treatment from critics when he was appointed in August, and he was given the uncomplimentary nickname ‘Avocado Head’… but it turns out he has had all his doubters on toast.

After sealing his country’s place in the last 16 for the first time since 1986 and only the second time in their history, Regragui posed for a picture for Fifa, pointing at his head and holding a split avocado with a tiny ball in it.

During the celebrations after their win over Canada in their final group game, the players huddled around Regraki and all touched his head – afterwards, he explained: “They all like to hit me on the head, perhaps this will bring them good luck.”

John Bennett
BBC World Service Sport at Education City Stadium

I was really impressed by the way Morocco coach Walid Regragui handled the pre-match press conference yesterday ahead of one of the biggest games in the country’s history.

For one thing he answered questions in four different languages. He also did the perfect job of balancing having confidence in his players without piling on any pressure.

The quote that really stood out for me is that his Morocco team “will come out swinging".

He’s already got an impressive CV having led Wydad AC to the African Champions League title this year but the 47-year old’s career will be interesting to watch after this World Cup.

BBC Radio 5 Live

You can listen to this game on BBC Radio 5 Live. It's on the *ahem* other TV channel today.

Only Argentina (16) have conceded fewer shots at this World Cup than Spain (17) and Morocco (20).

The only goal Morocco have conceded was an own goal.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Image source, BBC Sport

The Morocco fans were out in their numbers early on today.

The Metro station was all Morocco - their fans are going to create some din!

The winner of this faces Portugal or Switzerland, who meet at 19:00 GMT in the final last-16 tie.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Education City, Qatar

Quite a few empty seats here with 10 minutes to go until kick-off. Must be a very frustrating sight for all those Morocco fans who couldn't get on flights to Qatar for this game.

The ones that have made it are making plenty of noise though.

Spain have only won three World Cup games since lifting the trophy in 2010, drawing four and losing three.

Today is a national holiday in Spain.

Not because of this game, but because it's Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day) - marking the approval of the Spanish Constitution by the people in 1978.

This is the first time the national team have played a game on this day.

Jose Enrique
Spanish former left-back on BBC Radio 5 Live

Morocco are a team that can really damage you. I’m positive that Spain is the best team and are going to win but at the same time we don’t have a Kylian Mbappe, a Neymar, we don’t have players like this in front for when the games are getting difficult.

When Alvaro Morata isn’t in the team we don’t have any solutions. I like how Spain play because it’s our identity but they are not the best team in the tournament. For me it is Brazil or France.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Education City, Qatar

Image source, BBC Sport

Al Thumana Stadium was the setting for Morocco's win over Belgium in the group stage and, with both teams wearing red, it wasn't immediately obvious just how many fans of the African side were there, compared to their Belgian counterparts.

It was only when Morocco ran out for their warm-up that it was apparent their followers made up most of the crowd, and it was a similar story here at Education City just now when the Atlas Lions emerged to a very noisy welcome.

Their fans are here in numbers, not just at one end but all around this stadium... as the Spain players found out when they ran out to a cacophony of whistles.

Image source, EPA

Morocco have never been beyond this stage, only reaching the last 16 once - back in 1986 when they lost to West Germany.

They are bidding to become just the fourth African team to reach the quarter-finals - after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who only took charge in August, said: "It is the biggest game of our history but I hope the biggest will be the next one.

"Our elders cannot replay their game against West Germany while the Spain game is ahead of us.

"I don't think we should go out with any sort of complex.

"Yes, we're the underdog, but we know what Spain are made of and the recipe is easy. We shouldn't be worried, we should have no regrets and give the best of ourselves.

"We've also got things up our sleeve. We've had one extra rest day compared to them and we're going to try and pull a surprise out of the bag."

Image source, Microsoft/BBC

These two countries actually have a disputed land border.

When Morocco won indendence from Spain and France in 1956, Spain kept hold of two enclaves on the coast - Ceuta and Melilla.

Morocco have never recognised them as Spanish territory - and it has occasionally led to violence.

Read more here.

Alvaro Morata has scored in each of his last three World Cup appearances for Spain, despite playing a total of just 126 minutes across those games.

The only Spain player to score in four World Cup games in a row is David Villa in 2010.

Morata, who presumably plays for Juventus or Atletico Madrid or is on loan from one to the other, is one of eight players on three goals at this World Cup. Only Kylian Mbappe, with five, has more.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

The atmosphere is building.

A few Spanish flags fluttering around but still feels as though Morocco will have the majority of the support here.

The tannoy system plays 'Espana' out over the speakers and it is met with huge whistles.

Then it's Morocco's turn as they join in with a vocal rendition of another song played over the tannoy.

Morocco were one of the most surprising teams to reach the knockout stages, finishing top in a group with Croatia, Belgium and Canada.

Their 2-1 win over Canada took them through after a 0-0 draw with Croatia and 2-0 win over Belgium.

Adel Taarabt
Former Morocco and QPR winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

No one was seeing Morocco past the group stage because they had Croatia and Belgium.

I hope tonight they will make history.

Morocco are unbeaten in their last four matches at the World Cup (W2 D2).

The only African team to go five consecutive World Cup games without defeat are Cameroon (W2 D3 between 1982 and 1990).

Image source, .

As Spain prepare for Tuesday's World Cup last-16 match against Morocco, much of the country's focus is falling on boss Luis Enrique and his decision to speak about anything and everything on the streaming site Twitch.

Across the country, hundreds of thousands have been tuning in to his almost daily broadcasts - as the former Spain midfielder sits in a gaming chair with a headset, answering any questions that come his way.

As well as finding out about his footballing philosophy, we have also learned he eats six eggs a day, he hates cheese - despite hailing from Asturias, the dairy capital of Spain - what his favourite restaurants are and that he sleeps naked.

While the fans and media hang on to the Spanish coach's every word, they are leaving his talented bunch of elite footballers to concentrate on the main task in hand - winning Spain's second World Cup.

His reasons for his regular streams? He wants to change people's perception of him.

Read more here.