Madrid: Spain aim to extend a historic run at the World Cup in Brazil as they target a fourth successive major tournament triumph. Vicente del Bosque has created a formidable football machine that won the European Championship in 2008, the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa and a second European title two years ago.
Should Spain retain the World Cup, it would be the first time any country has sealed consecutive triumphs since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. They start in a tricky Group B however against the Netherlands, Chile and Australia.
And there is scepticism as to how long a squad of players that have won almost everything at club as well as international level can dominate. Those fears were realised when a young and highly-motivated Brazil side destroyed Spain 3-0 in the final of the Confederations Cup last year. “Brazil are the big favourites for me,” goalkeeper Pepe Reina admitted recently.
Yet, Spain can point to their own experience in South Africa to prove that the dress rehearsal of the Confederations Cup isn’t always the best indicator of how the World Cup will develop. None of the winners in each of the previous four Confederations Cups held the year before a World Cup have been able to repeat their success when the stakes are raised 12 months on.
Indeed, Spain suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to the United States in 2009 before returning to conquer the world in 2010. Fresh faces in a highly experienced squad has also sparked optimism that this Spain side will have the requisite hunger to drive them to success once more. The most noteworthy addition is that of Atletico striker Diego Costa, who has completed his controversial conversion from Brazilian international to Spain’s first-choice centre forward.
