Spain should not have too many problems getting out of Group E — even if being paired with Germany makes things potentially a little trickier.
An opening game against either Costa Rica or New Zealand — who contest an intercontinental play-off in Doha in June — should give them a chance to settle into the tournament. Then comes the biggest test against Germany, a nation to whom Spain have only lost once in their last seven meetings and beat 6-0 the last time they met in the Nations League in November 2020.
A final game against Japan is interesting for the links between the two countries — including current Vissel Kobe midfielder Andres Iniesta — but should not give Spain too many headaches.
That is when it might start to get a lot harder. Group E is paired with Group F, meaning Spain will likely face either Belgium, the team ranked No 1 in the world, or Croatia, finalists in 2018, in the last 16.
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A first World Cup knockout game victory since the 2010 final could bring a quarter-final against either Portugal or Brazil, two countries with many current and former La Liga players. Holland or Lionel Messi’s Argentina could be waiting in the semis, or possibly England or France, with the second-placed finishers in Group E arguably having an easier route to the final.
There is plenty of potential for entertainment and narrative, whatever happens, and under Luis Enrique, Spain have produced plenty of that. They have been capable of beating anyone, but also of shooting themselves in the foot, and more drama looks very likely at this World Cup. But, given this draw, the quarter-finals at the very least should be the target.
Group E fixtures:
November 23: Spain vs Costa Rica/New Zealand
November 23: Germany vs Japan
November 27: Spain vs Germany
November 27: Japan vs Costa Rica/New Zealand
December 1: Japan vs Spain
December 1: Costa Rica/New Zealand
Pick your starting XI for the first match
(4-3-3): Unai Simon; Cesar Azpilicueta, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba; Pedri, Sergio Busquets, Gavi; Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo
Let us know if you agree in the comments below…
Player to look out for: Pedri
The Barcelona playmaker made an incredible impact in his first season at the top level for club and country, winning the young player of the tournament at Euro 2020 and 2021’s Golden Boy award. He does not turn 20 until November 25 (during the opening round of the World Cup group games) and just keeps getting better and better.
Since Lionel Messi left Barcelona last summer, Pedri has taken more responsibility in attacking areas, adding goals and assists to his already spectacular game intelligence and technical skills. Some around the Nou Camp argue that it was his return to fitness, rather than January transfer business or tactical tweaks from head coach Xavi, which kick-started the team’s improved form in recent months.
How did they get on in 2018?
Absolute disaster. Coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked by federation president Luis Rubiales two days before their opening game. The team struggled through the group stage under caretaker Fernando Hierro before being eliminated in the last-16 on penalties by hosts Russia.
Many of its remaining members of the “golden generation” from 2008 to 2012 then retired from international football, including Iniesta, David Silva and Gerard Pique.
Who is the manager and how is he viewed?
Luis Enrique was not a universally popular choice to oversee the rebuilding of the team, owing to the former Barcelona player and coach’s deep unpopularity at Real Madrid. He was close to the sack after a slow start to Euro 2020, then won over many sceptics with a rollercoaster ride to the semi-finals, with many in Spain thinking they were the best-coached team at the tournament.
The debate now is whether he will extend his contract past this year’s World Cup finals — he says he doesn’t want to discuss any new deal as he knows he’ll have to leave anyway if they fail at the tournament. Manchester United are looking for a new permanent manager, too…
You can follow Spain with The Athletic. And don’t forget our La Liga coverage.
Read more: Spain beat Costa Rica 7-0, the country’s biggest ever World Cup win.
(Top photo: Getty Images; design: Sam Richardson)
