The 2010 winners are hoping to stand on top of the world once more with former Under-21 boss Julen Lopetegui now at the helm
Winners in 2010 but dumped out of the group stage four years later, there’s no question about which of their previous two World Cup campaigns Spain will be hoping to replicate.
Long-time boss Vicente del Bosque stayed on too long, but now a side of serial winners that had perhaps begun to look a little long in the tooth has been refreshed under former Under-21 boss Julen Lopetegui.
The ex-Porto coach had been set to join Wolves as manager in 2016, but when his country came calling, the 51-year-old couldn’t say no.
Since then he has reinvigorated the side, building on the long-standing base of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and David Silva, by adding freshness in the shape of a number of his former youth charges, including Real Madrid star Isco and Saul Niguez.
La Roja are still La Roja and crashing out at the group stage in Brazil 2014 and the disappointment of France 2016 were not at all cathartic in the end. At the age of 51, and without much experience as a coach at elite level, Julen Lopetegui has managed to conserve the essence of what made Spain so successful. The backbone of the team who qualified brilliantly for Russia 2018 are the same as those who failed in France a year and a half ago. Eight of the team who lost against Italy in Paris would start in Russia if the World Cup started now: David De Gea, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva and Álvaro Morata. In addition, the wonderful Isco has found his feet with the senior squad, as have several of the under-21s who won the Euros with Spain and Lopetegui in 2013.
The big question regards – as it has since David Villa’s international exit – who will play up front? Alvaro Morata has top-scored for Spain during Lopetegui’s time in charge with seven goals, but there’s also Diego Costa, Aritz Aduriz, Iago Aspas and a host of others.
They head to Russia among the leading contenders and will hope to stamp an early mark when they meet Portugal in their opener on June 15.
Form guide
There were no problems for the Spanish in World Cup qualifying, as they sauntered through a group containing Italy, with nine wins and one draw – in Turin – in their 10 games.
Lopetegui’s men scored 36 times and conceded on just three occasions as they booked their spot in the finals; the last time they tasted defeat in a competitive fixture was against the Azzurri at Euro 2016.
Thrashed Costa Rica and drew 3-3 with hosts Russia in November, giving up the lead three times against the host nation.
Star player
Isco
Andres Iniesta is (arguably) the greatest player Spain has ever produced, and while the Barcelona star remains key, there can be no denying that he isn’t the player he once was.
As such, the man to whom Spain will turn to make the cutting runs and passes which have been so key in recent year will be Isco, who will be 26 when the finals get under way and heading into his prime.
The playmaker has proven his value to Real Madrid in three Champions League finals and is now thriving at the Santiago Bernabeu; his devastating display against Italy last September – in which he scored twice – was perhaps the best individual performance from anyone not named Lionel Messi in Europe this season.
Rising star
Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio’s burgeoning reputation continues to grow, with the 22-year-old shining for Real Madrid and emerging as the future of Spanish football.
Supremely-talented, quick, with an eye for goal or a killer pass, the Mallorca-born starlet already boasts a Champions League final goal to his name and actively appears to seek responsibility in big games.
He can prove a real game-changer for La Roja in Russia.
How they qualified: Winners of European Group G ahead of Italy
Preferred system: 4-5-1
Star players: Isco (Real Madrid) , David Silva (Manchester City)
One to watch: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
Manager Julen Lopetegui
Odds 15-2
Head 2 Head
Spain and Iran have never met. Iran was invited to the 75th Anniversary of Real Madrid club , but did not play the host in a 4 team tournament in March 1977.