Can Spain Win the World Cup?
The qualification campaign was not the most convincing. A 1-1 draw with Greece started things off and the defeat in Sweden meant Spain needed to win against the same opponent on the final match day to confirm a place a Qatar 2022.
But that victory was achieved, leaving the national team with just the remaining Nations League games and a friendly in Jordan in November before the World Cup kicks off. The best online gambling sites have Spain as more of an outsider to claim the trophy. But can Luis Enrique take his side all the way?
World Cup Record
This will be Spain’s 12 consecutive World Cup finals and it would feel very strange not to see the famous red and blue kit on show at the most prestigious of major international tournaments. But it is a while since Spain has been considered one of the very best national sides in the world.
The 2010 World Cup victory in South Africa proved Spain’s dominance of the game at the time. But there has been a group stage and a round of 16 exit since then. La Roja had never got past the quarterfinal stage before 2010 either, so it is not as though Spain has expected to go all the way in the past.
Recent Form
As we mentioned, Spain’s World Cup qualification campaign was not without its problems. The Nations League group games since then have been a little more impressive though. A draw with Portugal in the first game was only a sign of how close the group would be and the team were still unbeaten going into the most recent international break.
A vital point was won away in Prague, thanks to a stoppage time goal from Iñigo Martinez, before back-to-back wins against Switzerland and the Czech Republic again. A place in the Nation League finals will probably depend on the result of the final game against Portugal.
Players to Look Out For
Luis Enrique has continued to bring through a new generation of new stars to take over from the ageing squad that had been so successful in their own youth. But he has still been able to expertly balance his group of players with experience. In fact, even a lot of the very young players in his team have played at the highest level for a while now.
Spain has relied on dominating possession in recent years but has not always turned that into goals. It would seem as though that tactic will remain for the World Cup – and that means that some of the midfielders will be key to any hopes of success. Pedri and Gavi will be hugely important, as will the veteran Busquets.
There also seems to be an exciting group of attacking players emerging. The likes of Morata and Torres will be expected to score the goals in Qatar. But Luis Enrique would dearly love to have Ansu Fati fit for the tournament – or for Nico Williams to grasp his chance and become a star for the national side.
World Cup Hopes
One thing that Luis Enrique and Spain have on their side at the World Cup this year is a relatively kind group draw. Germany, Japan and Costa Rica are no pushovers but it could have been a lot worse. Finishing in the top two should be the absolute minimum requirement in Qatar.
Even the potential round of 16 opponents would look fairly favorable. Spain will face either the winner or runner-up in Group F – one of Belgium, Canada, Morocco or Croatia. If a victory there is achieved it would mean the quarterfinals once again. Anything can happen at that point and any team still in the competition would surely fear Spain.