At first glance, it would appear that Spain’s World Cup qualification campaign was plain-sailing, but this was far from the case, eventually finishing four points clear after suffering a scare at the hands of Sweden when they were beaten in Stockholm.
They maintain their record of having qualified for every World Cup since 1974 and have only ever lost 12 of 125 qualifying matches. That loss in Sweden was their first in World Cup qualifying since 1993, never beaten on home soil.
They became the eighth different nation to win the World Cup in 2010 during a dominant period for the national team that saw them pick up three major trophies, but since then they have underwhelmed at World Cups, As defending champions, they exited the competition after just two games in 2014, beaten by Holland and then Chile.
Four years ago, their only victory was a 1-0 win over Iran, before they were ousted on penalties by hosts Russia. Spain’s 2018 campaign is best known for the fact head coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked two days before their opener, with Fernando Hierro taking charge completely at the last minute. So, la Roja will be aiming for their first knockout stage victory since the 2010 final when they head to Qatar in November.
Despite their poor recent World Cup displays, as Luis Enrique himself is quick to point out, few teams have been as consistent as Spain in the last two years. In 2021, despite low expectations, they reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals, only ousted by Italy after a penalty shootout.
Three months later, they reached the UEFA Nations League Final, this time overcoming Italy, before a narrow 2-1 defeat to France. Back in September, they qualified for the finals of that competition again, thanks largely to a dramatic last-gasp victory over Portugal in Braga.
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Spain World Cup 2022 Tips
Read the latest Spain odds ahead of the World Cup, including their odds to win the tournament, odds to claim the golden boot, 101 Great Goals’ top tip and more 2022 World Cup predictions and tips.
Spain World Cup Predictions
World Cup betting tips
After underperforming since 2010, Spain’s improvement under Luis Enrique should see them go deep into the tournament, although their group is a potential banana skin.
Spain Golden Boot Prediction
World Cup betting tips
Morata has never really managed to establish himself for club or country, but holds a good record at international level with 27 goals in 57 games. He has shown an appetite for the big occasion too, with three goals at Euro 2020, but he doesn’t have a World Cup strike to his name. If given a run in the side, he could be a good outside bet.
Manager
Luis Enrique
Very few international bosses can boast a more impressive résumé than Luis Enrique. He’s managed Roma, Celta de Vigo and, most notably, Barcelona. During three seasons in charge of Barça, he won nine major trophies, including the treble in 2015, featuring the club’s last Champions League success in 2015.
As a result of that, the way this current iteration of Spain plays is akin to that of a classic Johan Cruyff or Pep Guardiola Barcelona team, without being exactly the same.
Spain operate out of a 4-3-3 and really like to dominate possession; their average possession % across six UEFA Nations League games was 71. Sergio Busquets or Rodri operate as the number six, with Barça’s teenage duo Gavi and Pedri as the number eighths.
The style is best epitomised by Enrique’s choice of goalkeepers. Unai Simón will continue as the number one, chosen for his ability with his feet, while Robert Sánchez and David Raya are his understudied; David de Gea and Kepa Arrizabalaga are nowhere to be seen.
Centre-back could be an area of concern. Aymeric Laporte, who switched allegiance from France ahead of Euro 2020, alongside Pau Torres is probably Enrique’s preferred pairing. Meanwhile, the attacking positions are very much up for grabs.
Álvaro Morata will probably lead the line, but he could be flanked by any of Ansu Fati, Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres, Yeremy, Dani Olmo or many others. Generally, Spain’s approach means they often struggle to breakdown teams who bunker in a low-block, but often thrive against top teams who want to go toe-to-toe with them.
Record
Total appearances: 15
First qualification: 1934
Most recent: 2018
Best achievement: Winners (2010)
World Ranking: 7
Overall record: P63, W30, D15, L18
Key players
Pedri
When discussing Spain, their key player is always likely to be a central-midfielder and, despite the fact he’s still a teenager for another few weeks, it has to be Pedri.
Since making his Barcelona debut in September 2019, it’s been abundantly obvious to all observers that he is an ultra-talented young midfielder. To date, he’s scored 11 goals in 87 Barça appearances, including the only goal in a win over Celta Vigo this season, a first time finish, pouncing on a defensive error.
In a side that can keep possession all day long, Pedri’s goal threat is one aspect that makes him so vital to this team.
For Spain, he’s yet to score but, after starting all six matches at Euro 2020, expect him to remain a key cog in this well-oiled machine.
101′s Spain World Cup Tip
While Spain are not the favourites to win the World Cup, it’s going to take a top side to beat them.
Their second group game against Germany leaps off the page as one of the must watch first round fixtures, If you’re backing la Roja to win that one, they’re 5/6 to finish first in Group E.
If Spain win the group, they could run into Brazil in the quarter-finals; if they finish second, Iberian rivals Portugal could be their opponents in the last eight. Spain to be eliminated in the quarters is priced at 2/1, suggesting the bookies agree that this could be where Enrique’s side bow out.
101’s Top Tip
Spain stats, fixtures and results
Follow our Spain page for the latest statistics, live odds, fixtures, results and match facts of every game at the World Cup.
