Spain is currently sitting at the top of group B, just two points behind first place Portugal. The winner of this group will most likely advance to face Brazil or Uruguay in the Round of 16.
Spain’s World Cup spot is almost booked … but don’t celebrate yet. Spain has a tough road ahead of them in the upcoming games, and they will need to win against Portugal and Morocco if they want to book their ticket for Russia.
12 November 2021
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Sid Lowe is a writer from Spain.
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To the relief of the seleccion, Sweden did what Spain had done during qualification: they lost a shocker in Georgia, casting doubt on their own World Cup prospects. Spain had a 33 percent chance of winning Group B, but Sweden’s 2-0 defeat, followed by Spain’s tense 1-0 triumph in Athens, drastically shifted the equation. Spain advances with a 2-2 tie against Sweden in Seville on Sunday (watch LIVE on ESPN+ at 2:30 p.m. ET).
Greece hadn’t lost at home in almost two years, but Spain won thanks to a penalty from Pablo Sarabia in the first half. Despite a slew of injuries — Spain didn’t arrive in Athens with Ansu Fati, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, Marcos Llorente, or Gerard Moreno, while Eric Garca and Yeremi Pino had to withdraw — they held on.
Nobody was more astonished than Raul de Tomas, who ended up playing over an hour in his first-ever start for the national team. “I was surprised when they revealed the lineup, but I snapped out of it and focused on playing well,” he remarked. “Lvaro and I were trading places and we were both at ease; we had a good connection. If Luis Enrique hadn’t phoned me, none of this would have happened. I owe him a debt of gratitude.”
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THURSDAY, NOV. 11 • Ethiopia takes on Ghana in a friendly match (8 a.m. ET) • Zimbabwe vs. South Africa (2 p.m. ET) • Senegal vs. Togo (2 p.m. ET) • Portugal vs. Ireland (2:45 p.m. ET) • Greeks vs. Spaniards (2:45 p.m. ET) • Liechtenstein vs. Germany (2:45 p.m. ET)
Djibouti against. Algeria, FRIDAY, NOV. 12 (8 a.m. ET) • Morocco vs. Sudan (2 p.m. ET) • Egypt vs. Angola (2 p.m. ET) • Albania vs. England (2:45 p.m. ET) • Mexico vs. USMNT (9 p.m. ET)
Malawi vs. Cameroon, SUNDAY, NOV. 13 (8 a.m. ET) • Liberia vs. Nigeria is a matchup between two African countries (11 a.m. ET) • Mozambique vs. Ivory Coast (2 p.m. ET) • Kazakhstan vs. France (2:45 p.m. ET) • Netherlands vs. Montenegro (2:45 p.m. ET) • Estonia vs. Belgium (2:45 p.m. ET)
Given the momentum change in Thursday’s games, they should gain the point they need, but with this Spain squad, it’s difficult to tell what to expect. This is the squad that defeated Italy in the Nations League semifinals and outperformed France in the final… but still lost. The squad that advanced to the Euro 2020 semifinals and was only lost on penalties by Italy after playing superior football than their opponents. Perhaps better football than anybody else in the competition. It’s also the side that beat Germany by six goals in Seville on route to the Nations League final four.
But it’s also the side that can win games but not always in penalty areas; the team that seems to be vulnerable even when doing well. They needed a dubious penalty to win 1-0 against Greece, despite having 75 percent possession and overwhelming control. They also required a Greek goal disallowed for offside.
At the Euros, Spain was the only team to win a game in 90 minutes. They couldn’t go through Sweden or Poland, so they had to rely on penalties against Switzerland. That is in this position because they have previously been held by Greece — at home, in Granada — and defeated by Sweden. The squad that required a 92nd-minute goal to beat Georgia in Tbilisi and a 90th-minute goal to beat Kosovo in Pristina in an uninspiring 2-0 victory.
Spain have not lost a single World Cup qualification match since 1993 when they were defeated by Sweden.
Luis Enrique said before Thursday’s game that he and his teammates enjoyed the pressure, but everyone will be happy that it has subsided little ahead of Sunday’s crucial match against Sweden. AFP/ARIS MESSINIS/Getty Images
In the end, this is not a situation that Spain is accustomed to, despite some low points and dismal outcomes — a 3-2 loss to Cyprus and a David Healey hat-trick for Northern Ireland spring to mind. To qualify for Euro 1984, they needed to defeat Malta by 11 goals. They triumphed 12-1, despite only leading 3-1 at halftime. They needed seven goals in their last game to qualify for Euro 1988… only for group leaders Romania to draw, allowing them to avoid that responsibility. They had to hold on against Denmark in the last qualification game with 10 men to qualify for the 1994 World Cup.
They needed to win in Paris to avoid being relegated to the 2014 World Cup playoffs. A Pedro goal was plenty, as was Vctor Valdes’ outstanding performance in goal. They had to qualify twice via the playoffs. In 2004, they drew with Ukraine and Northern Ireland before losing to Greece in Zaragoza. To qualify for the Euros through the playoffs, they had to play and overcome Norway, winning 5-1 on aggregate. They qualified for the 2006 World Cup after defeating Slovakia by the same scoreline.
So, yes, there was a lot of pressure. There’s a lot of it. And Luis Enrique is well aware of this; he could see and feel it when sitting in front of the press. Hear me out. Over and over again It was in the room with them, not so much as one elephant who went unnoticed, but a herd of elephants who were the talk of the town. It’s also there since it’s located in the country. And, of course, in the squad. Luis Enrique will have to deal with yet another factor.
“We’re in a terrific position right now. In terms of mindset, my guys performed well and shown desire “After victory in Greece, he informed reporters. “Of course, I think we will get straight qualifying to the World Cup on Sunday. We will qualify with a draw against Sweden, but I can tell you that we will go out to win.”
Koke, Spain’s captain versus Greece, echoed this opinion. “Today’s game was critical for us to win. Spain must participate in the World Cup. We’re all hoping to make it to the World Cup.”
Of course, getting to the World Cup is a process for any side, and no nation is promised a berth (except for the hosts). Spain is nearly there after a tumultuous week and a tougher-than-expected journey.
“I’m thrilled,” Luis Enrique declared amid the tumult on Wednesday. He was even pleased by Thursday night. If they win on Sunday, he won’t be able to wipe the joy from his face.
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