Spain will seek to secure their passage into the last 16 with their final group game against eliminated Morocco on Monday night, with La Roja knowing a draw in Kaliningrad would be enough to send them through.
Here are the three big talking points ahead of the action.
One eye on Portugal?
Spain only need one point to be sure of advancing into the knockout stages, but perhaps more pertinently they want to ensure finishing top of the group by gaining a better result than Portugal in their final game against Iran, who could also still finish first by winning their game and seeing Spain draw.
However much Spain’s players and coaches might insist that they will only focus on the task of winning the game and won’t pay any attention to the news from elsewhere, it’s inevitable that the scoreline from Saransk will filter its way down onto the pitch.
The final half-hour could be particularly shaped by Portugal and Iran’s progress, potentially giving Fernando Hierro’s men something of a mental dilemma if they are already winning by one goal but need another to overcome Portugal – how many risks should they take in pursuit of a bigger margin of victory without also putting themselves in danger of conceding?
However, it’s not entirely clear that finishing in first place would be a particular benefit, with a second-placed finish setting up a last 16 tie against Russia or Uruguay followed by a possible quarter-final against a France team which has not particularly impressed so far.
Living up to Hierro’s billing?
Interim boss Hierro made the most outspoken claim of his brief reign by comparing his squad with the 2010 World Cup-winning team, a statement which was intended as a display of confidence but will also put pressure on his players to emulate their illustrious predecessors.
Of course, many of the players in Hierro’s squad now were also part of that triumphant team in South Africa eight years ago, with central defensive pairing Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique, midfield masters David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets and third-choice goalkeeper Pepe Reina all hoping to secure their second world title in the next few weeks.
But the new generation is being led by the likes of Isco and Diego Costa, who have sparkled in attack and are arguably the most important players to the current Spanish side – certainly in ensuring their pretty approach play is accompanied by the necessary incisiveness in front of goal.
In truth, the performances delivered by Hierro’s men so far have been promising without reaching the heights set by the 2010 winners. There is undoubtedly potential for them to get even better, and Hierro will hope they can now start to accelerate through the gears and move towards their peak form in time for the crunch clashes that lie ahead in the knockout stage. If they can do that, Hierro’s words of praise could prove to be prophetic indeed.
Morocco motivated or deflated?
Morocco know their chances of extending their stay in Russia have already been ended, with a pair of 1-0 losses against Iran and Portugal ensuring they will return home after this final group game.
The African side will feel hard done by to have suffered an early elimination after playing some decent football, especially in the unfortunate defeat to Portugal, and their mental state could go one of two ways for this final game: they will either be deflated by their disappointment and struggle to produce the competitive edge needed to confront a quality team like Spain, or they could be extra-determined to claim a major scalp and ensure they don’t leave the competition with nothing to show for their efforts.
The quality of Morocco’s play so far definitely warrants more than zero points, and Spain will know they are a potentially dangerous opponent. In particular, it’s a big occasion for David De Gea after a worrying patch of form for the Manchester United keeper, who could be kept busy by Morocco’s ability to create chances. Morocco might be out, but they can still have a significant say in this World Cup.
