World Cup: Group B: Portugal vs. Spain, 6/15/2018

[Live in the Now]

Portugal

Coach: Fernando Santos

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	GK	Rui Patrício	15 February 1988 (aged 30)	69	0	Sporting CP
2	DF	Bruno Alves	27 November 1981 (aged 36)	96	11	Rangers
3	DF	Pepe	26 February 1983 (aged 35)	95	5	Beşiktaş
4	MF	Manuel Fernandes	5 February 1986 (aged 32)	14	3	Lokomotiv Moscow
5	DF	Raphaël Guerreiro	22 December 1993 (aged 24)	24	2	Borussia Dortmund
6	DF	José Fonte	22 December 1983 (aged 34)	31	0	Dalian Yifang
7	FW	Cristiano Ronaldo (captain)	5 February 1985 (aged 33)	150	81	Real Madrid
8	MF	João Moutinho	8 September 1986 (aged 31)	110	7	Monaco
9	FW	André Silva	6 November 1995 (aged 22)	23	12	Milan
10	MF	João Mário	19 January 1993 (aged 25)	36	2	West Ham United
11	MF	Bernardo Silva	10 August 1994 (aged 23)	25	2	Manchester City
12	GK	Anthony Lopes	1 October 1990 (aged 27)	7	0	Lyon
13	DF	Rúben Dias	14 May 1997 (aged 21)	1	0	Benfica
14	MF	William Carvalho	7 April 1992 (aged 26)	43	2	Sporting CP
15	DF	Ricardo Pereira	6 October 1993 (aged 24)	4	0	Porto
16	MF	Bruno Fernandes	8 September 1994 (aged 23)	6	1	Sporting CP
17	FW	Gonçalo Guedes	29 November 1996 (aged 21)	10	3	Valencia
18	FW	Gelson Martins	11 May 1995 (aged 23)	18	0	Sporting CP
19	DF	Mário Rui	27 May 1991 (aged 27)	4	0	Napoli
20	FW	Ricardo Quaresma	26 September 1983 (aged 34)	77	9	Beşiktaş
21	DF	Cédric	31 August 1991 (aged 26)	29	1	Southampton
22	GK	Beto	1 May 1982 (aged 36)	14	0	Göztepe
23	MF	Adrien Silva	15 March 1989 (aged 29)	23	1	Leicester City

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Spain

Coach: Julen Lopetegui

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	GK	David de Gea	7 November 1990 (aged 27)	28	0	Manchester United
2	DF	Dani Carvajal	11 January 1992 (aged 26)	15	0	Real Madrid
3	DF	Gerard Piqué	2 February 1987 (aged 31)	97	5	Barcelona
4	DF	Nacho	18 January 1990 (aged 28)	16	0	Real Madrid
5	MF	Sergio Busquets	16 July 1988 (aged 29)	102	2	Barcelona
6	MF	Andrés Iniesta	11 May 1984 (aged 34)	126	14	Barcelona
7	MF	Saúl	21 November 1994 (aged 23)	10	0	Atlético Madrid
8	MF	Koke	8 January 1992 (aged 26)	39	0	Atlético Madrid
9	FW	Rodrigo	6 March 1991 (aged 27)	5	2	Valencia
10	MF	Thiago	11 April 1991 (aged 27)	28	2	Bayern Munich
11	FW	Lucas Vázquez	1 July 1991 (aged 26)	6	0	Real Madrid
12	DF	Álvaro Odriozola	14 December 1995 (aged 22)	3	1	Real Sociedad
13	GK	Kepa Arrizabalaga	3 October 1994 (aged 23)	1	0	Athletic Bilbao
14	DF	César Azpilicueta	28 August 1989 (aged 28)	22	0	Chelsea
15	DF	Sergio Ramos (captain)	30 March 1986 (aged 32)	151	13	Real Madrid
16	DF	Nacho Monreal	26 February 1986 (aged 32)	22	1	Arsenal
17	FW	Iago Aspas	1 August 1987 (aged 30)	9	4	Celta Vigo
18	DF	Jordi Alba	21 March 1989 (aged 29)	61	8	Barcelona
19	FW	Diego Costa	7 October 1988 (aged 29)	19	7	Atlético Madrid
20	MF	Marco Asensio	21 January 1996 (aged 22)	11	0	Real Madrid
21	FW	David Silva	8 January 1986 (aged 32)	120	35	Manchester City
22	MF	Isco	21 April 1992 (aged 26)	27	10	Real Madrid
23	GK	Pepe Reina	31 August 1982 (aged 35)	36	0	Napoli

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Obviously a big game here. Very unsure of which team Portugal will use.

Click to read more...

 

[koyvoo]

One of the most intriguing group stage matches just got a little more interesting. The Portuguese were probably feeling more pressure to get a positive result in this one, but now maybe Spain will feel the pressure of having to prove that they’re not imploding.

 

[MrFunnyWobbl]

Surely Spain will keep the structure of the previous coach, no? Would be a bit much to try and implement new tactics two days before.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Surely Spain will keep the structure of the previous coach, no? Would be a bit much to try and implement new tactics two days before.

It's not just about formation or implementing the same system...Its more about adapting when something goes wrong. At some point Spain will need to change things up when something isn't working and the new coach won't know what to do due to the lack of preparations. That's where it really hurts their campaign.

 

[cgf]

And then there were 3. Thanks Real!

 

[Moncherry]

I'm unsure as to whether or not Spain's coaching fiasco improves Portugal's chances. It shouldn't disturb them too much tactically as the game is in 2 days, but I believe Lopetegui was a big reason for Spain's resurgence. It's also unknown how much this change reflects whatever problems may be present in their squad.

 

[McCoy]

4-4 or 3-0 to Portugal my prediction's.

 

[Hadoop]

The most intriguing opening match of the group stage IMO

 

[Terry Yake]

i say this ends 2-2

 

[cgf]

i say this ends 2-2

Yeah, I don't like how russia has come out in this half. I worry the players have decided that the match is already won :-/

 

[McCoy]

Rui Patricio scores twice and Cristiano Ronaldo one goal but then Portugal will lose one and one draw against Iran and lose game against Marocco or versa just are my lucky tip. Iran wins Iran-Iraq war so let them go to endless last 16. Or Marocco can draw twice and win one game.

 

[robertmac43]

Prediction: Ronaldo looks dejected and annoyed with the world by the 25th minute

 

[koyvoo]

Rui Patricio scores twice and Cristiano Ronaldo one goal but then Portugal will lose one and one draw against Iran and lose game against Marocco or versa just are my lucky tip. Iran wins Iran-Iraq war so let them go to endless last 16. Or Marocco can draw twice and win one game.

Just to clarify, are you suggesting that Rui Patricio will score a brace..vs..Spain?

I mean I’ve got him for golden boot but I think the Spaniards shut him down.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

1-0 Spain. David Silva. 53rd minute. Book it.

 

[Bon Esprit]

And then there were 3. Thanks Real!

At first I was thinking that, too. But now I changed my mind. Maybe it's just the best they have to play a tough team first. We'll see tomorrow.

 

[Burner Account]

Just feeling Portugal.

 

[les Habs]

Maybe Ramos' arm will get tangled with Ronaldo's or maybe Ronaldo's face will hit Ramos' elbow.

 

[cgf]

Maybe Ramos' arm will get tangled with Ronaldo's or maybe Ronaldo's face will hit Ramos' elbow.

I’m expecting those two to combine on the first double booking for simulation in World Cup history

 

[N o o d l e s]

1-0 somebody....

 

[Tuggy]

3-2 Spain.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

On the road for work during this one, which is a major pain in the ass, because I live in Little Portugal.

 

[koyvoo]

Morocco is gonna pump Iran. Even behind Queiroz’s bunker blanket.

 

[Name Nameless]

I have the solid record here of picking the wrong winner. So I pick Portugal. All you Spain-fans should be assured: this will be a cake-walk for you then.

Also, Spain has recenly fired their coach, hasn't they? That's the best way to win the next match. They must be desperate.

 

[cgf]

I have the solid record here of picking the wrong winner. So I pick Portugal. All you Spain-fans should be assured: this will be a cake-walk for you then.

Also, Spain has recenly fired their coach, hasn't they? That's the best way to win the next match. They must be desperate.

My question is, do they fire Hierro before the next match if it works?

 

[koyvoo]

Patricio, Soares, Fonte, Pepe, Guerreiro, Carvalho, Moutinho, B. Silva, Fernandes, Guedes, Ronaldo

De Gea, Nacho, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Koke, Iniesta, Silva, Isco, Costa