Who will Spain boss Luis Enrique call on for La Roja's round of 16 clash with Morocco?
Spain's hope of achieving World Cup glory for the first time since 2010 are still alive, despite falling to a second-place finish in Group E.
A frantic group stage campaign saw La Roja start strong, but gradually show their mortality. A rampant win over Costa Rica was followed up by a draw against Germany and a shock defeat to surprise package Japan – who secured top spot in the group with another huge win.
Despite the streaky performances, Luis Enrique has a good record with the Spanish national team and an excellent talent pool to pick from.
Here's what to know as Spain approach the last 16:
- Getty
GOALKEEPERS
Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon started all three group stage games, and despite a wobble against Japan, will no doubt resume between the sticks against Morocco.
He is fending off competition from Robert Sanchez and David Raya to remain Spain's No.1.
Manchester United's David De Gea is among those to have been left out of the 26-man squad – he will feel as though he could've put in a match-winning display where Simon flopped in matchday three.
|
Name
|
Club
|
|
Robert Sanchez
|
Brighton
|
|
David Raya
|
Brentford
|
|
Unai Simon
|
Athletic Club
|
Advertisement
- Getty
DEFENDERS
One of the biggest questions facing Luis Enrique when it came to the Spanish defence was whether Paris Saint-Germain centre-half Sergio Ramos should be part of the final squad. His absence hasn't been felt too heavily just yet, although with Spain's team being young, his presence could be missed later on in the tournament.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba and Aymeric Laporte are all part of the 26-man party, with Spain boasting plenty of options at the back.
Eric Garcia has proven to be a reliable option, but has been unable to earn Enrique's trust. Instead, he has opted to deploy Manchester City midfielder Rodri as a makeshift centre-back, alongside Laporte and his deputy Pau Torres.
|
Name
|
Club
|
|
Cesar Azpilicueta
|
Chelsea
|
|
Hugo Guillamon
|
Valencia
|
|
Pau Torres
|
Villarreal
|
|
Eric Garcia
|
Barcelona
|
|
Alejandro Balde
|
Barcelona
|
|
Dani Carvajal
|
Real Madrid
|
|
Jordi Alba
|
Barcelona
|
|
Aymeric Laporte
|
Manchester City
|
- Getty Images
MIDFIELDERS
Spain boss Enrique has put his trust in an all Barcelona midfield three so far at the World Cup. And with how they've performed for the most part, it's unlikely he'll change on that front.
Sergio Busquets has provided experience behind the youthful Pedri and Gavi, who have each starred in the group stages. Busquets hasn't proven flawless, though, and some shuffling around could be required the further they go.
Carlos Soler and Marcos Llorente have been unable to make an impact, while Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara continues to watch on from home.
|
Name
|
Club
|
|
Sergio Busquets
|
Barcelona
|
|
Marcos Llorente
|
Atletico Madrid
|
|
Pedri
|
Barcelona
|
|
Rodri
|
Manchester City
|
|
Koke
|
Atletico Madrid
|
|
Gavi
|
Barcelona
|
|
Carlos Soler
|
PSG
|
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
- Getty Images
ATTACKERS
Pablo Sarabia, Alvaro Morata and Ferran Torres were expected to lead the line in Qatar, but Enrique has surprised with his selections.
Torres started each of Spain's first two games, alongside Real Madrid's Marcos Asensio and RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo. However, Morata has made his presence felt, scoring three goals so far in an unexpected run for the Golden Boot award.
Youngster Nico Williams seems to have earned the trust of the manager, while Ansu Fati has had to be patient for opportunities so far.
Asensio has starred, but Morata's scoring form might just earn him a place in the XI moving forward.
|
Name
|
Club
|
|
Alvaro Morata
|
Atletico Madrid
|
|
Yeremy Pino
|
Villarreal
|
|
Ferran Torres
|
Barcelona
|
|
Marco Asensio
|
Real Madrid
|
|
Pablo Sarabia
|
PSG
|
|
Dani Olmo
|
RB Leipzig
|
|
Nico Williams
|
Athletic Club
|
|
Ansu Fati
|
Barcelona
|
