Spain will be looking for its unlikely new World Cup figurehead Diego Costa to strike again against already eliminated Morocco on Monday as it bids to outscore Portugal and grab the top spot in Group ‘B’.
A draw will guarantee the 2010 winner safe passage into the last 16 but to be assured of winning the group, it needs to win a scoring contest with Portugal, which plays Iran at the same time.
If the two European sides win by the same scoreline, the top spot will be determined by who has the cleaner disciplinary record.
Iran, however, will reach the last 16 if it springs a surprise by beating the European champion.
Costa has scored three of Spain’s four goals in Russia, emerging as a surprise talisman after the sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui threatened to throw its campaign into chaos.
Brazil-born Costa had flopped at the 2014 World Cup after switching loyalties to Spain, failing to have a single shot in two games as the holder was dumped out.
He was left out of the Euro 2016 squad and his return had been a constant subject of debate in Spain.
Costa got off to a flying start in the opening game against Portugal, scoring the first equaliser in the 3-3 epic with an emphatic demonstration of his power and skill before also showing bravery to dive in and score the second.
Against the combative and defensively dogged Iran, he broke the deadlock with the scrappiest of goals to give Spain a vital victory.
Costa will be on the lookout for more goals against Morocco, which is heading home after losing 1-0 to both Iran and Portugal.
