Spain's odds to win the World Cup
17/2
Best World Cup
Winner 2010
2018 World Cup
Second round
Spain's World Cup Schedule
|
Date |
Fixture |
Location |
|
23rd November 4pm |
Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor |
|
|
27th November 7pm |
Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor |
|
|
1st December 7pm |
Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan |
Road to Qatar
Kicking off their qualifying campaign with a sub-standard 1-1 draw at home to Greece, and then sliding to a 2-1 defeat in Sweden in their fourth game, meant Spain could afford no more slip-ups in what should have been a comfortable group. After having conceded in each of those first four games, the Spanish defence tightened up to keep four clean sheets in four straight wins on the run-in, with a late winner from Alvaro Morata securing a 1-0 win in the final game against Sweden to clinch top spot.
Recent form
It was Morata to the rescue again at the business end of Spain's successful Nations League campaign, as he popped up with another late winner to secure a vital victory in their last game in Portugal, a win that saw them leapfrog their hosts to nick top spot. That result helped lay to rest the memory of Spain's 2-1 home defeat to Switzerland just three days previously, their only loss in eight post-qualification outings that brought five wins and two draws.
Spain squad
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford).
Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Hugo Guillamon (Valencia), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Man City), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Gaya (Valencia).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri Hernandez (Man City), Gavi (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (PSG), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedri Gonzalez (Barcelona), Koke Resurreccion (Atletico Madrid).
Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremi Pino (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Pablo Sarabia (PSG), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Ansu Fati (Barcelona).
Team insights
Probable formation: 4-3-3 While not quite the tika-taka aficionados of a decade ago, Spain nevertheless operate a system based on a patient possession-based build-up. With longstanding Sergio Busquets usually the pivotal midfield rock, he marshalls the relatively young brigade of Rodri and Pedri, who are likely to be the creative architects behind the attack threat of Ferran Torres and Alvaro Morata. It is behind these attacking riches that Spanish boss Luis Enrique has more of a headache, with much likely to depend on the composed defending of Aymeric Laporte. Further back, goalkeeper Unai Simon will need to be on his toes behind a sometimes vulnerable defence whose shortcomings were exposed in that recent 2-1 home defeat to Switzerland.
World Cup prospects
Spain enter any tournament as one of the favourites, but sometimes those short odds can be based more on reputation than reality. La Roja should kickstart their tournament with a win against Costa Rica in preparation for their heavyweight clash with Germany, arguably the biggest game of the group stages. The winners of that encounter are likely to earn an easier path through the first knockout round, albeit with the likes of Brazil and Portugal looming in the later stages. Best hope: 2010 revisited?
Read more about each of Spain's Group E opponents: