As the 2022 World Cup draws ever nearer, you could forgive Spain for feeling quietly confident ahead of making the trip to Qatar. Having reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020, coming so close to reaching the final, this young and hungry Spain side look ready to compete once again on the biggest stage in international football.
Indeed, Spain’s fans will feel their team is due a good showing at the World Cup. Since winning the tournament for the first time back in 2010, when Vicente Del Bosque’s side full of stars passed their way to glory, beating the Netherlands in the final, it’s been a tale of woe for Spain as far as World Cup football is concerned.
Their defence of the title in 2014 was a car crash by anyone’s standards. Facing the Netherlands in their opening group game as a repeat of the previous World Cup final, things got off to a perfect start when Xabi Alonso’s penalty gave Spain the lead. After that though, Spain collapsed in catastrophic fashion. A Dutch blitz of goals led to Louis van Gaal’s side running out 5-1 winners in the end. It was the kind of defeat Del Bosque’s side just weren’t used to.
That result seemed to knock Spain’s confidence dramatically, and Chile were on hand to take full advantage, overcoming Spain 2-0 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro to knock the defending champions out of the tournament. A 3-0 win over Australia restored some pride, but Brazil 2014 was a calamitous tournament for the Spanish.
Four years later, Spain at least avoided falling at the group stage, but they were far from convincing despite winning their group. A thrilling 3-3 draw with Portugal in the opening game was followed by a narrow 1-0 win over Iran and a 2-2 draw with Morocco.Â
Taking on hosts Russia in the last 16, most expected Spain to progress with ease, but the Russians were up for the challenge, holding Fernando Hierro’s side to a 1-1 draw before knocking them out on penalties. It was disaster once again for Spain.Â
This time around, they’ll be hoping to do themselves justice. They’ve landed in another tough group, with Germany representing tough early opponents, while Japan and Costa Rica will not go down without a fight.Â
The opening game sees them take on Costa Rica, who are probably the weakest team in the group. Spain are heavy favourites among those who bet on Spain v Costa Rica, and it’s vital that Spain produce a commanding performance to establish themselves in the tournament. Germany are their second opponents, and confidence will need to be high going into that one.Â
Winning the group will be hugely important, as finishing second could lead to a tricky last-16 tie against Belgium assuming Roberto Martinez’s men top Group F. Spain will be keen to set up an easier second round opponent after taking on Germany early on, and if they can get to the quarter-finals unscathed they’ll have a good platform on which to mount a challenge for the title.Â
With some exciting players in their ranks, this is the perfect time for Spain to make amends for the disappointment of their last two World Cup campaigns.
