Spain out to avenge 1985 defeat
Wales put Spain to the sword when they last met in 1985 and slammed the Euro 1984 runners-up 3-0 but La Roja will be out for revenge in Cardiff on Thursday.
It is not often Spain have had to brood over a heavy defeat and not get a chance to avenge it for over 30 years, but the former world champions can finally set the record straight on Thursday.
They will be away against Wales in a friendly international in their first return to the country since a World Cup qualifier in April 1985.
Thursday’s clash is a warm-up for “La Roja” (The Red, a common name for Spain’s national soccer team) ahead of the trip to Wembley next Monday to play England in the UEFA Nations League.
For Wales, they will play at Principality Stadium for the first time since facing England in 2011 in a European Championship qualifier.
In recent years Wales have been based at the smaller Cardiff City Stadium and will continue to play competitive games there, but Spain are a more attractive lure for the fans.
They bring with them the prospect of a bigger crowd and increased gate revenue. Cardiff City Stadium holds up to 33 000 fans, while the Principality has a capacity of 74 500. It was previously called Millennium Stadium and is under the control of the Welsh Rugby Union.
Three decades ago Spain were not quite the force they are today and Wales romped to an historic win with Mark Hughes, now Southampton manager, among the scorers.
These days they look to Gareth Bale for the goals and he will also be able to assist with intimate knowledge of his Real Madrid teammates, many of whom will line up on the other side.
Isco misses out but other regulars like Sergio Ramos will play. New Spain manager Luis Enrique has left out Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba: "It is not a personal decision," he said when grilled by reporters about the surprise omission but a “sporting decision”.
On paper Spain will be favourites and are among the top ranked in the world. But let’s face it this is not the same team as the all-conquering side of Andres Iniesta, Xavi and others who won three major titles back to back with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa sandwiched between two European championships.
Spain were far from impressive in Russia and had the fiasco of sacking their coach just days before the tournament started. Wales have begun well under new manager Ryan Giggs in his first head managerial post, and given that Spain might rest a few key players before taking on England, this game seems perfect for TAB soccer punters to bet on the underdogs.