Spain boss Luis Enrique has said that he was "more than satisfied" with his team's performance against Morocco in the last-16 stage of the 2022 World Cup.

The two teams could not be separated at the end of 120 minutes of football, which saw the contest head for penalties, and Morocco were 3-0 winners on spot kicks.

Enrique has insisted that his side 'dominated the game' against their opponents but lacked a cutting edge in the final third of the field.

"Were you watching the game? Where have you been, with your back turned? If we have done anything, it was dominating the game. We can be blamed for having generated few chances," Enrique told reporters.

"We lacked the goal. I am more than satisfied with what my team has done, who have executed my idea of ​​football perfectly. I am proud of them. Bono was spectacular and I wish Morocco the best.

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"I am very happy with the profile of players that I have. They are the ones that I have chosen and I will go to the death with them. I congratulate my players for how they have competed. We are sorry for not having been able to reward the fans.

"We have to congratulate the winners. They played their game, it turned out well, they were better than us in the penalty shootout. I think children have to learn how to lose, regardless of whether you deserve it or not.

"Right now I'm looking forward to getting home to see my family and my dogs and be with them.

"The responsibility is mine. I chose the first three penalty takers, who were those I thought were the best specialists on the pitch. We didn't even get to the fourth."

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Enrique's contract with Spain is due to expire at the end of the month, and the 52-year-old has said that he will hold talks over his future next week.

"I suppose that from next week, when the president [Luis Rubiales] considers it timely, we'll talk about what the future can bring. Right now that means nothing to me, because we need to assimilate this disappointment and deal with it in the best way," he added.

La Roja were world champions in 2010 but have now disappointed at their last three World Cups, failing to make it out of the group stage in 2014 before being eliminated in the round of 16 in 2018 and 2022.

Spain only won one of their four matches at this year's competition, and they have not managed to record more than one victory at the finals of a World Cup since 2010.

Written by
Matt Law