GROUP B
SPAIN
NETHERLANDS
CHILE
AUSTRALIA
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
IKER CASILLAS
Goalkeeper
He is one of the finest
goalkeepers of all time
and the most capped
player of all time for
the Spanish team.
CESAR AZPILICUETA
Right-back
He is highly adept at
balancing the twin
demands of defensive
solidity and attacking
prowess.
SERGIO RAMOS
Defender
An effective attacking
right-back but has
more recently been
deployed in central
defence.
GERARD PIQUE
Defender
Known for his ability
to bring the ball out of
defence and use his
skill and vision to join
attacks.
THE KEY PLAYER: Iniesta, a player who provides a creative streak to Spain’s possession-based philosophy
SPAIN
FIXTURES
June 13, Salvador
Versus Netherlands
June 18, Rio de Janeiro
Versus Chile
June 23, Curitiba
Versus Australia
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Uefa Group I winners
WORLD CUP RECORD
2010 Champions
APPEARANCES
14 (1934, 1950, 1962, 1966,
1978, 1982, 1986, 1990,
1994, 1998, 2002, 2006,
2010, 2014)
FIFA WORLD RANKING
1st (May 2014)
The world and European champions will be
amongst the favourites to retain the crown in
Brazil.
In defence of their title, legendary boss Vincent Del
Bosque will, as you’d expect, have a host of talented players to
choose from. Much of the ‘old guard’ will make up the core of
the team’s starting XI, but players on the fringes are starting
to make a major case for a starting berth. Cesar Azpilicueta,
Javi Martinez and Isco in particular, are all pushing for a spot
in the La Roja line-up.
Del Bosque will also have Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa
at his disposal after the Brazilian-born forward made the
decision to play for the World Champions over the 2014 hosts.
Whilst Spain have dominated all before them over the last
half a decade, the indications suggest that retaining their most
coveted title here will be this team’s most testing challenge to
date. The 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final
only emphasised the difficulty of the task facing them.
But you would be a fool to write them off. They will
refocus and refine ahead of the summer, with any sense
of complacency surely obliterated after such a humbling
experience. For the rest of the sides taking part, that is a
sobering prospect.
They remain the team to beat on the international stage
and a fourth major trophy in a row is certainly achievable.
THE COACH
VICENTE DEL BOSQUE
A master tactician who enjoys perhaps the most
accomplished CV in football. He is the only coach to
have won the World Cup, European Championship
and Champions League. It is perhaps easier to
envisage him in a remote Spanish village playing a
peaceful game of cards than on the adrenaline-fuelled
touchline. Del Bosque has helped turn Spain into the
greatest international football side of all time.
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JORDI ALBA
Left-back
He is developing into
an attack-minded
defender who gets
forward at every
opportunity.
XAVI ALONSO
Midfielder
He is blessed with
outstanding vision,
intelligence and
authority to shape a
game’s tempo.
SERGIO BUSQUETS
Midfielder
One of the most
valuable yet unsung
players. When he
plays well, the game
flows much better.
FERNANDO TORRES
Forward
He is a technically
gifted player who is at
his best when using
his pace to exploit
openings.
DAVID SILVA
Midfielder
A constant menace to
the opposing defence
and provides the
decisive pass as to
score himself.
CESC FABREGAS
M Y