World Cup Day 2: Euro Champions Portugal vs past World Champions Spain

Five things to know before Spain Vs Portugal kicks off in Sochi:

• Both teams are plagued by off-field controversies, especially the Spanish side after their coach was sacked just a day before the FIFA World Cup began
• The record head to head in international matches (including friendly matches and world cup face- offs) is Spain 18 versus Portugal 6, while 12 encounters have ended up in a draw
• Spain may be the favorites in this clash, but Portugal are reigning European Champions with a piercing attack, hence cannot be underestimated
• Both teams will be itching to get a head start in their first match in order to set the momentum for future games to follow
• Expect it to be a clash between Spanish Tiki-Taka and Portuguese fire in attack

With all the anticipation built around this neighbourly rivalry, one should expect the thrills of a World Cup Final. But the off-field controversies emerging right before the start of the tournament, especially from the Spanish side, may have a huge impact on on-field performance as Spain face Portugal in their first Group B match at the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Merely 24-hours ahead of the kick-off of the first game in Russia, Spain sacked Julen Lopetegui for negotiating a deal to join Real Madrid at the conclusion of the World Cup without informing the federation. His replacement, Fernando Hierro is no match to the former coach as his only previous senior coaching experience was at second-tier Spanish club Oviedo.

While star Spanish players, including Captain Sergio Ramos, are not happy with the Spanish management’s decision to sack Lopetegui, there have been reports of discomfort in the Portuguese side as well. Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio and forward Daniel Podence had already quit the team two weeks ahead of the tournament and four more Portuguese players are rumoured to be unhappy with their contracts with the club they represent back home.

Clash of the Iberian titans

Both the Portuguese and Spanish midfield is full of sheer class. While the La Roja side definitely overpowers the Portuguese in the midfield with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Isco, David Silva and Thiago Alcantara, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Portuguese attack. That doesn’t the Portuguese lack options in the midfield or Spain has a terrible attack. While Andre Silva, William Carvalho and Bruno Fernandes are more than capable of making the play for the forwards for Portugal, Marco Asensio and Diego Costa are no noobs either as Spanish forwards. 21-year-old Asensio, who emerged as a key player for Real Madrid as they surged into the Champions League final and to the verge of the La Liga title, make Spain a force to be reckoned with upfront as well.

But the Portuguese team has more options upfront than their opposition. While players like André Silva, Bernardo Silva, Gelson Martins give more flair in attack, it is Gonçalo Guedes who may just have done enough to start up front with Ronaldo. Guedes is the biggest performer for Portugal in the pre-World Cup friendlies with two goals and excellent all-round play in the 3-0 win against Algeria. Not to forget his 5 goals and 9 assists as part of Valencia in La Liga in 2017-2018, with a goal in the Copa del Rey.

Where Portugal lacks depth and Spain seems to have an upper hand, however, is the defence. The Portuguese defence is vulnerable. Head Coach Fernando Santos can no longer rely on the centre-backs who featured in Euro 2016. While Ricardo Carvalho has retired from international football, José Fonte who was slammed for the 3-0 Arsenal defeat back in 2017, had a terrible time at West Ham, and Bruno Alves has struggled at Rangers.

The Spanish team looks impressive both on paper and on field. The possession-based style has had Spain dominating games and tournaments. But the internal turmoil that struck hours before the much-hyped encounter is not going to help the Spaniards. Yet, as Portugal’s Silva conceded before the match in a press-conference, “To win against Spain we need to be strong mentally, Cristiano Ronaldo needs to be at his best and [we need] a bit of luck.” Indeed if Cristiano decides to put his best show on and is supported by teammates, Portugal can well kick off their campaign in style.

Rest assured, a promising duel between the Spanish midfielders and the Portuguese attackers is on the cards tonight.