It’s four days to the start of the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup, we begin our countdown to the biggest singular sporting competition in the world. Since the global fiesta started in 1930, we have seen only eight winners lift the gold trophy. The last edition hosted by Brazil in 2014 saw Germany lift the trophy at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
In our build up to the Mundial, we shall preview some of the teams we believe can win the 32 carat gold trophy in Moscow come 15 July 2018.
SPAIN
The 2010 World Champions are one of the favorites to win the World Cup in Russia. After the failure in 2014 and 2016, Julen Lopetegui was saddled with the task of returning La Furia Roja to the country that conquered the world winning three international titles (Euro 2008, FIFA World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012) in four years. Lopetegui has refreshed the team without having to start afresh. He had to weed out the beloved but no longer effective players and adding new ones. Captain and veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro were part of the old faces that had to giving room for younger ones even though he kept the core of players dating back to the 2008 Euros— Sergio Ramos, David Silva, and Andres Iniesta have remained in the team. Seven players from the 2016 Euro have been a key component of his team: David de Gea, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, David Silva, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, and Andres Iniesta. Eleven players from the catastrophic 2014 World Cup squad are on this year’s team.
Spain had an almost perfect qualifying run to this World Cup. They won nine and drew once in their 10 match qualifying series scoring 36 goals and only giving up three.
It is hard to believe that a strong nation like Spain has only one World Cup title. Julen Lopetegui is undefeated as manager for Spain. He had a row of impressive results (13 victories out of his 19 first games in charge). The team is stacked offensively with loads of talent. There is creativity, finesse. The typical Spanish style of play is difficult to defend against for 90 minutes. Spain have most of their players competing in the country’s league – La Liga which helps in cohesion and identity. 17 players in the squad who play professionally in Spain, a with strong contingent from Champions League winners Real Madrid (Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez, Lucas Vazquez, Isco and Marco Asensio) and domestic double winners FC Barcelona (Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta).
The Spanish team is filled with quality across the pitch and experienced winners both at club and international level. Who will lead this group? Isco and Marco Asensio are the two players we have identified. Spain number 22 – Isco was key during the qualifiers and will play in his first international tournament. In the last two years, he has matured immeasurably and is a great fit for this side’s mentality with his astute decision-making. He is a top-class dribbler and very good with his final pass. On top of that he has very good movement in the area between the midfielders and the strikers. Marco Asensio is a mature and complete footballer at age 22. The former Mallorca academy graduate has an eye for goal. He scored 15 goals in 29 appearances for Spain U19 and U21 combined. He is still waiting for his first senior national team goal for Spain and it may come on the biggest of scenes.
La Furia Roja has the squad to go all the way. Several of this current team veterans will hope to make up for the disappointments of 2014 and 2016 as it could be their last international outing. Spain have a right to dream and believe in Julen Lopetegui’s team.
Spain have been drawn into Group B with Portugal, Iran and Morocco.
They begin their World Cup campaign against their Iberian Peninsula neighbors Portugal on Friday 15 June 2018 at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi. Their second game is against Iran on Wednesday 20 June 2018 at Kazan Arena, Kazan. Their final game against Morocco is Monday 25 June 2018 at Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad.
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