After a disastrous World Cup defence in 2014, Spain seem to be close to recapturing the form that saw them lift the trophy for the first time in 2010.
Coasting through qualification with a near-perfect record, Julen Lopetegui’s side have looked irresistible at times in recent months, most notably in the 6-1 friendly win over Argentina in March.
Spain’s toughest test would appear to be their opening match against Portugal in Sochi on Friday June 15. A meeting with Iran in Kazan five days later precedes their final group encounter against Morocco in Kaliningrad on Monday June 25. All three of Spain’s initial fixtures start at 7pm BST.
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Road to Qualification
Spain kicked off their World Cup qualification campaign with an 8-0 win over Liechtenstein, with seven of the goals arriving in the final 35 minutes. David Silva, Diego Costa and substitute Alvaro Morata all grabbed braces in Lopetegui’s first competitive match in charge.
Having been knocked out of the 2016 UEFA European Championship by Italy at the round of 16 stage, Spain were soon to face their conquerors again. The Italians, then under Antonio Conte, had produced a tactically superb display to defeat Vicente del Bosque’s Spanish side 2-0 in France.
In the rematch in Turin in October 2016, it was the Spanish who dominated proceedings. Only a late Daniele De Rossi penalty prevented Spain from taking all three points, following Vitolo’s 55th-minute opener.
Spain bossed possession (having had 72% of the ball in the first half and 64% overall) and restricted Italy to one shot on target all game: their equalising strike from the spot.
Eight wins on the bounce, including a second 8-0 win over Liechtenstein, saw Spain through as group winners. Their second meeting with Italy showed just how far both countries had come under new coaches since Euro 2016: playing without a recognised striker, Spain outclassed a feeble Italy side, the superb Isco scoring twice in a 3-0 win.
Only Belgium and Germany (both 43) scored more goals than Spain (36) in European qualification, while England were the only nation to match the Spanish’s low of three goals conceded.
Lopetegui has varied Spain’s tactical approach throughout qualifying and in their subsequent friendlies, even experimenting with wing-backs.
Their usual set-up, however, is a fluid 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Sergio Busquets is still the first choice in central midfield, with Koke, Saul Niguez or Thiago Alcantara lining up alongside the Barcelona star in the double pivot or as part of a three-man midfield.
In his final World Cup, Andres Iniesta will either play on the left of that three-man midfield or further forward alongside David Silva and Isco. Lopetegui’s strategy will essentially hinge on whether he chooses to field a recognised striker – Costa or Iago Aspas – in attack or play a “false nine”: Silva took up that role in Spain’s aforementioned win over Italy.
There is less doubt about the personnel in Spain’s defence: barring injury, David de Gea will likely line-up behind the established back four of Jordi Alba, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Dani Carvajal.
Most starts: David de Gea, Sergio Ramos, David Silva, Sergio Busquets (9), Gerard Pique (8), Thiago Alcantara (7), Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta, Koke (6), Dani Carvajal, Diego Costa (5), Isco (4).
Most goals: David Silva, Diego Costa, Isco (5), Iago Aspas (2)
Most assists: David Silva (4), Thiago Alcantara (3), Jordi Alba, Dani Carvajal, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Isco, Iago Aspas, Koke (2)
Alvaro Morata and Vitolo, who scored five and four goals respectively during qualification, were omitted from Lopetegui’s 23-man squad.
Since qualifying, Spain have contested four international friendlies: draws in Russia and Germany were sandwiched between 5-0 and 6-1 home wins over Costa Rica and Argentina respectively.
READ MORE: The World Cup Fantasy differentials on offer at hosts Russia
The Key Targets
Where to start with a squad as talented as Spain’s? Fantasy managers are blessed with a plethora of options to choose from in this Spanish side, from arguably the world’s best goalkeeper and two attack-minded full-backs through to a wealth of goalscoring midfielders and forwards.
David de Gea is the joint-most expensive goalkeeping option on Fantasy iTeam’s World Cup game (£6.3m) and the single-most costly custodian on McDonald’s FIFA (£6.5m), having kept six clean sheets and conceded only three goals in his nine qualification appearances.
Jordi Alba (£6.4m on Fantasy iTeam | £6.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) offers both clean sheet potential and a genuine offensive threat. The left-back supplied two assists in qualification and was on the scoresheet in both of Spain’s November 2017 friendlies against Russia and Costa Rica. Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi (12) were the only Barcelona players to provide more assists in La Liga than Alba (eight) this season.
The joint-most expensive defender on Fantasy iTeam and McDonald’s FIFA (£6.5m for both), Sergio Ramos has more international goals (13) to his name than all but two of Spain’s World Cup squad (Andres Iniesta and David Silva). The Real Madrid centre-half has scored at least four La Liga goals in five of his last six seasons with the European champions and netted a brace – both goals coming from the penalty spot – in Spain’s 3-3 friendly draw with Russia.
Isco (£7.2m on Fantasy iTeam | £8.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) is the most expensive option in the Spanish midfield and with good cause. Despite having only started four of Spain’s ten qualifying fixtures, the Real Madrid star registered five goals and two assists. Having now cemented his place in the starting XI, Isco scored a hat-trick in March’s 6-1 demolition of Argentina. Isco recorded seven goals and as many assists in La Liga this season, despite only making 21 starts for Real.
David Silva (£6.8m) is a cheaper midfield pick on Fantasy iTeam, but one who could easily match Isco’s output. No Spanish team-mate scored more goals (five) or supplied more assists (four) than the Manchester City playmaker in qualification. Silva could very well find himself favourably “out of position” as Spain’s most advanced midfielder, should Lopetegui decide to start without a bona fide centre-forward.
Indeed, Silva’s history as a “false nine” has led McDonald’s FIFA to price him up as a £9.0m-rated striker.
Diego Costa (£7.8m on Fantasy iTeam | £9.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) would seem to be the front-runner for that sole striking spot, having started and scored in Spain’s most recent friendly (the six-goal annihilation of Argentina). Costa has six goals in his last half-dozen starts for the national team, all from inside the penalty box.
Having found himself ostracised at Chelsea earlier this season by his then manager, Antonio Conte, Costa’s place in Lopetegui’s squad looked in some jeopardy. A January transfer to Atletico Madrid effectively banished those doubts, though Costa has scored on only three occasions in 15 La Liga appearances for Atleti since his move.
READ MORE: Why Uruguay’s dark horse status could help World Cup Fantasy managers
The Long Shots
Not so much a long shot as a cheaper alternative in the Spanish backline, Dani Carvajal (£6.2m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) is the “budget” defensive option. The Real Madrid right-back is not quite the goal threat that Alba is, but did supply two assists in qualifying. A hamstring injury picked up in Madrid’s Champions League final win over Liverpool put Carvajal’s World Cup participation in doubt, but the 26-year-old full-back has since been passed fit.
Iago Aspas (£6.8m on Fantasy iTeam | £8.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) is one to monitor as the group stage progresses. The former Liverpool player scored 22 league goals for Celta Vigo this season and is a credible alternative to Costa in attack, should the Brazil-born striker suffer a loss of fitness or form. Aspas has one goal and three assists in two substitute friendly appearances for Spain since November.
Upcoming Friendlies
June 3: Switzerland (h)
June 9: Tunisia (n)
Further Analysis
Our comprehensive World Cup guide can be found here.
Group A – Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group B – Iran, Morocco, Portugal, Spain
Group C – Australia, Peru, France, Denmark
Group D – Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
Group E – Brazil, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Serbia
Group F – Mexico, Germany, Sweden, South Korea
Group G – Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
Group H – Senegal, Japan, Poland, Colombia
Our editor’s Fantasy World Cup tips as told to Proper Sport
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5 years, 11 months agoCould Auba be reclassified as a mid next season given Laca appears to be favoured as the CF of the pair when they play together. Could be an interesting dynamic (similar to Salah/Firmino) if they were to price Auba as a 11.0m mid, and Laca as a 9.5m fwd...