ONUS ON SPAIN TO DELIVER
For a majority of Spain’s golden generation, this will be their last World Cup tournament and so, possibly a final chance to get their hands on a major international trophy again. Hosts Russia, outdoing naysayers to progress from the group stages, will offer a stern test for the Spaniards. A look at talking points before the match: MIXED FORTUNES
La Roja certainly would have taken this position when former coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked two days before the start of the tournament, but Spain have been a mixed bag. Despite scoring three goals in their opening game against
Portugal, they still only managed to take one point. They scraped past Iran and were put to the knife by an inspired performance by the Moroccans. Spain only managed to top the group on fair play.
NERVOUS HANDS
Almost all of Spain’s problems at the World
Cup point towards their poor defensive showings. Goalkeeper
David De Gea — a far cry in comparison to his performances with Manchester United where he kept 18 clean sheets in the Premier League — has let in goals without offering much resistance. He let slip Cristiano Ronaldo’s attempt from outside the box and did very little when Morocco forward Khalid Boutaib slipped the ball between his legs in the third game. save De Gea has made in three matches in the group stage, resulting in a save rate of just 16.7 per cent
DEFENSIVE LAPSES
Spain’s central pairing of Gerard Pique and captain Sergio Ramos, it seems, has not shaken off its poor club form from last season. None of them closed Ronaldo before the Portuguese captain scored from the edge of the box. In the second game a mix-up between Ramos and the midfield set Boutaib clear on goal and the North Africans went on to get another from a Youssef En Nesyri header. Ramos & Co will have to buck up with the threats only getting more dangerous.
STRIKERS ON SONG
Many doubted Diego Costa’s ability to do what David Villa had done, but the Atletico Madrid forward has proven them wrong. Showcasing brilliant strength and finishing with his first goal against Portugal, he netted the second owing to his poacher’s instinct, thus exhibiting the attributes of a perfect striker. Reserve striker Iago Aspas (in pic) has been directly involved in 10 goals in his 10 appearances as a substitute for the Spanish national team (six goals, four assists) and also scored Spain’s second goal against Morocco with an improvised flick finish to earn them a draw. He was the highest scoring Spaniard in the top-5 European Leagues in 2017-18.
MIDFIELD MAGIC
In their opening game against Portugal, Spain were a joy to watch in spells when in possession. In fact, it has been the brilliance of their midfielders and attackers that has rescued them in the end. Orchestrated by the duo of Andres Iniesta and Isco, Spain have dominated proceedings. It was the duo that combined brilliantly to equalise for Spain against Morocco.
Iniesta’s skills were instrumental in unlocking Iran’s resolute backline when he slipped Diego Costa through. Sergio Busquets, too, has put on a solid show in shielding the two attacking midfielders and distributing the ball with his usual calm finesse. He has already assisted Costa twice so far.
RUSSIAN CRUSADE
A blistering start, a strong middle and a discouraging end
– that’s how one can describe Russia’s campaign so far. After thrilling wins over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Russia were dealt a reality check by Uruguay. But the hosts have proven their doubters wrong and shown they will be no pushovers, particularly in Moscow, where they play today.