Group Overview:
Portugal got possibly the most feared opponent available in the World Cup in Spain and the two immediately became favorites out of Group B. Although the FIFA ranks placed Portugal over Spain, most fans can agree Spain is not only the team to beat in the group but also one of the candidates to win the World Cup next month. Morocco qualified in style by going undefeated in the last six games while not allowing a single goal and ending with a +11 goal differential. Iran would also go undefeated in their qualifying group while making history for going 1,108 minutes without conceding a goal in qualifying. Both Iran and Morocco have proven to be amongst the elite teams in their region but their seemingly impenetrable defence might be broken down by the likes of Portugal and Spain.
–Tincho (@MP_persources)
While all eyes will be on the two big teams in this group, Morocco and Iran can’t go unnoticed. Iran, managed by former Portugal boss Carlos Quieroz, became the first team to qualify for Russia last June. Morocco impressively went unbeaten in the final round of African qualifying and beating favorites Ivory Coast on the final day to secure qualification. Portugal merely won its group on goal differential ahead of Switzerland to punch their ticket to Russia. Spain beat and drew runners up Italy in UEFA group G qualifiers to secure qualification to the 2018 World Cup. Most will expect Spain and Portugal to go through to the knockout stages but the winner of Iran v Morocco in the first game will give themselves a fighting chance to cause an upset and go through.
–James (@PerSources_JP)
This Group is clear cut as could be, Spain and Portugal will advance. Spain and Portugal are at peak performance and will have no problems with Iran or Morocco. World class stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David De Gea, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, and Thiago will overpower the African and Asian nations. Iran and Morocco do come in to the tournament with some positives. Morocco didn’t concede a goal all of qualification lead by Juventus Star Medhi Benatia and Iran dominated Asian qualifying by only conceding two goals and winning eight of their ten matches. Morocco and Iran maybe can salvage a point against the top dogs, but they won’t have the scoring to keep up with Spain and Portugal. The Iberian Derby will decide first place in Group B and Spain’s Midfield will over power Portugal as Spain top the group.
–Cam (@CamB_PerSources )
Players to watch:
Tincho: Isco
Long gone are the days where Spain’s breathtaking midfield would dominate from start to finish. The likes of Xavi and Xabi Alonso are no longer there and Iniesta is not the same player he was back in 2010. However, Spain’s ability to produce world class midfielders continues to place them a step over other many rivals. To me, Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez is one of the most entertaining players to watch in the entire World. Magical with the ball at his feet, able to get out of any dangerous situation, deadly vision and capable of putting the ball in the back of the net if needed. Few players in the World are made like Isco in this day and age. For Spain it’s quite simple: if Isco is in full “humiliate the other team like their families aren’t watching” mode, the team as a whole shines offensively. If Isco is having a bad game, Spain struggles to create.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY8-yQnxoWc
Cam: Cristiano Ronaldo
The world superstar will have all eyes on him as this could be his final world cup in his prime. Ronaldo has already come out and said that he wants to play in Qatar 2022, but the Real Madrid man would be a shell of himself. Last World Cup Ronaldo scored one consolation goal after his team was eliminated, his team now would expect nothing less than he round of 16. Although Ronaldo does have role players around him (Bernardo Silva, Ricardo Quaresma, and Pepe) all the blame would go to Ronaldo if they are unsuccessful. If Ronaldo does perform and take Portugal far in the tournament it would enhance his legacy.
James: David De Gea
After Spain bowed out to Italy in the round of 16 at EURO2016, in De Gea’s first major tournament, look for them to find their form of old. Iker Casillas was vital from 2008-2012 when Spain collected three major trophies in consecutive tournaments. With De Gea’s being in top form, this will be his stage to prove himself as the best in the world and help lead Spain back to glory.
Congratulations David De Gea who has won the Premier Leauge Golden Glove for the first time. 18 clean sheets! 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/7VE7bHbRSy
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) May 10, 2018
Biggest Concerns:
Cam: Spain’s Inconsistency
The Winners of the 2010 World Cup in the past fours years have been a disappointment at major tournaments. In 2014 and old squad was embarrassed by the Netherlands and Chile bowing out at the group stage. Two years later, La Roja were beaten on in their final group game to Croatia to finish second. They were than subsequently bounced from tournament in their next game by Italy. A lack of scoring was the problem in both those games which could hurt them as Russia 2018 approaches. Morata is out of form while Rodrigo and Iago Aspas lack experience. Diego Costa could be leading the line for Spain but still has only been capped 18 times. This won’t cause issues in the group but could pose a problem come later in the knockout phase.
James: Cristiano Ronaldo
While Portugal did become European Champions in 2016, Ronaldo scored just three goals, two against Hungary, in seven games. After getting injured and subbed off after 25 minutes in the final against France, Portugal looked a better team without him and eventually didn’t need him to win. He scored 15 goals in qualifying, but zero in the two games against Switzerland. Yes, that’s a lot of goals in eight games, but against competition such as Faroe Islands and Latvia, it becomes less impressive. While racing to get fit for the Champions League final, any holdover from his ankle injury will only add to Ronaldo and Portugal’s pressure.
Tincho: Cristiano’s Lack of Support
There has never been a team in World Cup history that can rely on just one player to lead them to the promised land. Even the great Diego Maradona received some help in Mexico ‘86. As for Portugal, I have trouble finding another player on their roster that is capable of putting Portugal on their back and leading them past Spain in the group if Cristiano is not at his best. The fact of the matter is, Portugal without an on form Cristiano is far from threatening. We saw it in the 2016 Euro when Cristiano never truly found his form despite Portugal somehow advancing to the final. Never in the tournament were Portugal seen as a force to be reckoned with. In fact, even in the final without Cristiano, Portugal were never the better team and were flat out lucky to come away with the Euro. In the World Cup, they will be going up against two very solid defenses in Morocco and Iran. Oh and they’ll also have to go up against the best keeper in the World in David De Gea. Unless Cristiano is in peak form, Portugal might struggle to put the ball in the back of the net and thus jeopardize their spot in the round of 16.
Predicted Group Winners:
James: Spain
In the end both Spain and Portugal will progress to the round of 16. After drawing each other in a thriller in the opening match, both will pick up wins against Iran and Morocco. Spain will eventually top the group thanks to a better goal differential. If Portugal can ride their luck from the last EUROs, maybe we’ll see these two meet in the final.
Tincho: Spain
They’re the most well rounded team in the group and their experience in the back will play a huge role against some of the less experienced sides. At least one member of their unmoveable backline has won the Champions League since 2014 . Throw some creative midfielders like Isco and Thiago in with World Cup winners like Iniesta and Busquets and you get one of the tournament’s leading candidates to take home the trophy.