Spanish Invasion
Russia’s Cheryshev (L) and Spain’s Iniesta will be the main actors in today’s game. AFP PHOTOS
What you need to know:
- SOCCER. Spain have flattered to decisive at the but while their defence has struggled, the former world champions possess arguably one of the strongest midfields in football.
- The craft and silky touches of David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Isco will lead the Spanish Armada at what should be a partisan Luhzniki Stadium that will cheer hosts Russia.
- Sergio Ramos’ men have scored six goals but been equally vulnerable as they have shipped in five. Russian artists Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba have scored five goals between them thius far, too.
The La Furia Roja (Red Fury), as the Spanish national team are known, line up against hosts Russia in the second round of the 2018 Fifa World Cup with no one sure of what to expect from the former world champions.
With six goals in their ‘Goals For’ column, Fernando Hierro’s side have shown that scoring goals is not a problem.
But the five they have shipped in are evidence that their rear guard can be breached.
Football’s old truism of ‘attack winning you games and defences winning you championships’ tried and proven at this level and Spain must shore up a backline that has been far too generous. Goalkeeper David De Gea hasn’t quite imposed himself on the tournament as the world’s best between the sticks while in central defence, the pairing of Gerard Pique and skipper Sergio Ramos have looked disjointed. Pique and Ramos share a combined 256 caps, by far the most experienced defensive pairing at the World Cup, but Portugal, Iran and Morocco caused the two 2010 world champions all sorts of problems and a potent Russian attack will fancy their chances at the Luhzniki Stadium.
Russian assassins
Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba have scored five goals between them and possess the craft to punish the types of defensive mistakes Spain committed in their three group matches.
For the home side, it will be a test of their resolve against a technically better team.
No one expects Russia to win the World Cup but neutrals everywhere will be rooting for the underdogs to go as far as they can.
Tournaments tend to lose some of their lustre when the host is knocked out and it is for that reason that Russia will be supported passionately by their supporters and fans of other countries inside and outside Luhzniki.
Uruguay’s 3-0 victory over Russia in the dead rubber of group A was a reminder of the limitations in Stanislav Cherchesov’s side and in Spain, his side will be up against arguably strongest midfield in football.
Old wise head
At 34 years, Andres Iniesta is playing his final tournament for La Furia Roja and can no longer dominate games for 90 minutes. But he retains the ability to turn a game on its head with one moment of magic as he showed against Morocco when setting up the opener for Isco. Spain are overwhelming favourites today but as Germany found out, being a former champion on its own is sometimes not enough to put you through to the next round. Russia will pose them serious questions.
Croatia versus Denmark
In Croatia’s way of a place in the quarter final is Denmark who have reached the round of 16 for the fourth time in their five World Cups. Christian Eriksen and co eased past Peru then drew with Australia and France to book their place in the first knockout round.
Croatia and Denmark have shared results between them over the years. The midfield battle promises to be intriguing with Real Madird’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Rakitic battle to control the middle of the pitch against Tottenham sensation Eriksen.
