TORONTO — Spain recovered their composure and their European champions' pedigree on Wednesday, defeating Morocco 3-0 in their second FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture at BMO Field in Toronto, ending a turbulent 48 hours for Luis de la Fuente's side following their stunning goalless draw with debutants Cape Verde.

Goals from Pedri, Álvaro Morata, and a late Dani Olmo strike settled the contest emphatically, silencing early nerves and confirming that Spain's collapse against Cape Verde was an aberration rather than a sign of deeper structural problems. The result puts Spain on four points in their group, giving them a strong platform ahead of their third fixture.

Morocco, who impressed neutrals with their disciplined defensive shape and swift counter-attacking intent, were undone by Spain's second-half intensity. Achraf Hakimi was outstanding for Morocco in the first half, driving forward repeatedly, but the Atlas Lions faded after the hour mark as Spain's superior squad depth told in the summer heat.

Luis de la Fuente made two changes from the Cape Verde lineup, restoring Pedri to the starting eleven and dropping one of his more conservative midfield selections. The tactical adjustment paid dividends almost immediately in the second half, with Pedri threading an incisive pass that unlocked Morocco's back four for Morata's goal.

For Spain, the result restores confidence and maintains their status as one of the tournament favourites heading into the final group game. For Morocco, who had harboured genuine hopes of a surprise qualification, the defeat leaves them needing a result against Cape Verde to have any realistic hope of advancing from the group stage.