Spain World Cup 2018
The 2010 world champions head to Russia determined to erase the memory of their group stage exit in 2014, and once again show themselves as a force to be reckoned with in world football.
History at the World Cup
Spain were long-known as under-achievers at major tournaments, usually advancing to the early knock-out stages before exiting. Having reached the Quarter Final in their World Cup debut, in 1934, they then went on to finish fourth in 1950. That early promise didn’t last, however, as they went out at the group stage of the next three finals they qualified for, in 1962, 1966, and 1978.
As hosts in 1982, they reached the second group stage, before again reaching the Quarter Final in 1986. Two more Quarter Finals, two last 16 exits, and not making it past the group stage in 1998 followed, before they finally fulfilled their potential and became world champions in 2010. They started that 2010 tournament in South Africa with a defeat, losing 1-0 to Switzerland, but recovered well to top their group on goal difference from Chile.
Three 1-0 wins followed, against Portugal, Paraguay, and Germany, before the final against Netherlands ended 0-0 after 90 minutes. The Spanish weren’t to be denied though, and they won it with a goal four minutes from the end of extra time. Heading into Brazil 2014, Spain were the reigning world and European champions and were tipped to do extremely well. Things didn’t go to plan though, and they were knocked out at the group stage following defeats to Netherlands and Chile.
- World Cup Appearances – 14
- Previous Best Performance – Winners
How they qualified
When the UEFA qualifying draw was made, it looked like a clear-cut battle between Spain and Italy to top Group G.
Those two former world champions were drawn with Albania, Israel, Macedonia, and Liechtenstein. The group looked like a two-horse race and that was how it turned out.
Spain won the battle, topping the group with nine wins and one draw and sending Italy to a play-off which they would go on to lose.
The Spanish team scored thirty-six goals during qualifying, with Alvaro Morata, Diego Costa, Isco, and David Silva all netting five each.
Coach/Manager
Julen Lopetegui started his management career in 2003 and has led the Spanish youth teams to various successes during that time.
As a player, he was a goalkeeper who found himself on the fringes of the big time. He made a handful of appearances for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as earning one cap for the Spain national team in 1994.
In management, he aims to go all the way to the top.
At club level, his greatest achievement was taking FC Porto to the Quarter Final of the Champions League but he has done well with the national team youth set-up.
He won the 2012 Under-19 European Championship, and the 2013 Under-21 European Championship, before going back to club management.
Following Vicente del Bosque’s retirement after Euro 2016, the Spanish FA turned to Lopetegui to lead the national team.
He started off his reign with a 2-0 win over Belgium and went on to lead his country to qualification for Russia 2018.
At the time of writing this, he has been in-charge for sixteen games and is yet to suffer a defeat.
Star Players
There are several stand-out players in the Spanish national squad, but the best may just be goalkeeper David de Gea.
The Manchester United stopper is widely regarded as the best keeper tin the world, and he is indeed an extremely important part of the Spain set-up.
Captain Sergio Ramos is one of the finest defenders of his generation, and he forms an experienced pairing with Gerard Pique at the heart of the Spanish defence.
Midfielders David Silva, Sergio Busquets, and Andres Iniesta all have over 100 caps for the national team, and they provide experience to the next generation of stars, including Marco Asensio, Saul, and Suso.
Alvaro Morata leads the attack, and has netted thirteen in twenty-three appearances, with support from Diego Costa, Pedro, Isco, and Iago Aspas.
Spain World Cup 2018: Assessing Their Chances & Odds
The betting odds have Spain priced as fourth favourites, at 7/1, behind Germany, Brazil, and France. This seems fair odds and we fully expect Spain to bounce back from their disappointing 2014 campaign.
They are drawn in a group with European champions Portugal, Morocco, and Iran, which is a group they should navigate their way through without too many problems. It looks likely Spain and Portugal will battle for top spot, with a second-round encounter with a team from Group A awaiting.
With Uruguay likely to win that group, Spain would face Russia, Saudi Arabia, or Egypt if they can finish above Portugal.
That gives them a more than winnable tie, with the winner going on to face a probable Quarter Final against Argentina. Finishing runners-up and facing Uruguay would then lead to a last eight encounter in the top half of the draw, with France as the likely opponents.
Either way, it looks highly likely they would meet Brazil or Germany in the last four.
Our Spain World Cup Prediction
Spain are back to playing fantastic football and confidence is high following a long unbeaten run, so they head to Russia with a great chance of making the latter stages. In our opinion, they will avoid Uruguay by winning their group and then face Argentina in the Quarter Finals. That is where it gets tricky, because both sides have the quality to beat the other. We will stick our neck out and predict that Spain will get past Argentina if they meet, to make it as far as the Semi Final.