Spain’s challenge in the World Cup
The current European champion begins its journey in the World Cup with the mission of leaving behind a long drought in direct elimination rounds. Spain has not won a match in that phase since the 2010 final against the Netherlands, which gave it its first star.
Since then, the team was eliminated in the group stage in 2014, lost on penalties to Russia in the round of 16 in 2018 and suffered the same fate against Morocco in Qatar 2022. Now, as champion of Euro 2024, she traveled to North America wearing the favorite outfit.
“The thing about favoritism is a bit of a literary device. What does it mean in sport? It places you among the possible candidates, but only one wins,” commented coach Luis De La Fuente. “I don’t remember a World Cup with so many real candidates. We walk with great humility… Cape Verde is the most important party in the World Cup and we will go step by step.”
Their first test will be on Monday in Atlanta against Cape Verde, one of the four absolute debutants in this tournament expanded to 48 teams. The team’s identity is driven by Rodri Hernández, Manchester City midfielder and winner of the Ballon d’Or after the Euro. Spain has plenty of midfielders: Pedri, Gavi, Fabián Ruiz, Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi.
“I think we have the best midfield in the world,” declared De La Fuente. “We have the Ballon d’Or, Pedri, Fabián, Zubimendi, Gavi. Who should I take away? There will be very good footballers who sometimes will have to stay without playing.”
And we must not forget Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, two wingers who provide great speed. “The block is the same, the idea is the same, but there are players who continue to grow,” Rodri commented in an interview with Cadena Ser. “Maybe in the Euro Cup it was more of a surprise and now they are more of a reality.”
Cape Verde, which in the African qualifiers kept a clean sheet in seven of ten games, will have its hands full when opening Group H activity. Both Lamine and Williams arrived with physical discomfort, but De La Fuente confirmed that they are available.
“The best news is that Lamine is in perfect condition. He arrived at the time to make the decision at the moment we wanted,” said the technician. “They are all available. Some are not ready to start and play an important role, but we will see how the match develops.”
