Line-ups: Spain-Morocco

Thiago Alcantara makes his full debut at a major tournament for Spain against Morocco, who drop captain Medhi Benatia.

Thiago partners Sergio Busquets in central midfield as Spain boss Fernando Hierro switches to a 4-2-3-1 formation after trying out a 4-3-3 and 4-1-4-1 in his country's opening two games.

Elsewhere, it is as you were from the 1-0 win against Iran, with David de Gea staying between the sticks, Dani Carvajal keeping his place at right-back and Diego Costa out to add to his tally of three goals.

Morocco, meanwhile, are already out of the World Cup, having lost to Iran and Portugal, but their preparations for the clash in Kalinigrad have been disrupted by internal issues.

Benatia is seemingly benched for criticising his country's hierarchy after their 2-1 defeat to the Portuguese, while Getafe midfielder Faycal Fajr came under fire for using his phone during a training drill.

This is the first meeting between Spain and Morocco, while La Roja are top of Group B by the virtue of having received fewer yellow cards than their Iberian neighbours.

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Spain: De Gea; Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Thiago; Silva, Iniesta, Isco; Costa

Morocco: Munir; Achraf, Da Costa, Saiss, Dirar; El Ahmadi, Boussoufa; Amrabat, Belhanda, Ziyech; Boutaib

Referee: Irmatov (UZE)

Tags 2018 World Cup Morocco Spain
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