[ UPDATED/EDITED EVER SO SLIGHTLY ON 14/12/22 AT 23:50. ]

| Introduction |

Group E contains 4 time World Cup winners Germany, 2010 World Cup winners Spain, 2014 surprise package Costa Rica & former Asian Cup winners Japan.

| Spain 🇪🇦 [ Eliminated ]|

● Nations League group winners

● Group winners in qualification

● World Cup winners in 2010

● 4 major international honours (3 European Championships & 1 World Cup)

| Usual Formation/Style of Play |

Spain tend to play 4-4-3 (on paper, or on an app, possibly sometimes can be a bit 4-1-4-1), and play a high possession game but are a bit more ‘direct’ than some might think (as in they do use their wide forwards to create width, and to play some intricate football around the opposition’s penalty area, whilst being able to drag defenders out of position to create chances ).

They are able to pin teams back, and play intricate football around the opposition’s area.

| Can Spain Reach The Last 8 Or Beyond Of A World Cup For The First Time Since Winning The Competition In South Africa 12 Years Ago |

Spain reached the Nations League final (defeated by France) in 2021 and reached the Euro 2020 semi-final (in 2021, funnily enough).

That is objectively speaking progress compared to most of their major international records since 2014 (that includes the 2010 group stages exit after 2 matches in Brazil), but definitely not anything special in relation to their 3 consecutive major international tournament wins from 2008 to 2012 (2 European Championships & 1 World Cup).

But Enrique’s Spain side is arguably more ‘direct’, whilst yet being a side that is able to keep mass amounts of possession, and did manage to be one of the highest scoring teams at their previous major international (Euro 2020).

Sarabria and Ferran Torres offered Spain width and pace out wide, whilst being able to link up with Morata in attack.

Fati offers Spain an exciting and youthful wildcard option – and the Barcelona forward is one a few options that has given Spain a different dynamic to the too one paced sides that they had at previous tournaments – along side the likes of Olmo, Nico Williams etc.

It has been said that Spain have struggled to score goals in big moments, and while that may be true, Spain definely still have tons of ability in their squad.

Ranked 7th in the FIFA rankings, the conditions in Qatar may suit Enrique’s side that can keep hold of possession with ease, and Spain are one of the favourites for the tournament.

| Fixtures |

Vs Costa Rica (Doha/Al Thumama, 23/11/22, 16:00 GMT)

Vs Germany (Al Khar, 27/11/22, 19:00 GMT)

Vs Japan (Al Rayyan, Khalifa, 01/12/22, 19:00 GMT)

Last 16: Vs Morocco (0-0 AET, Morocco win on penalties, DEFEAT)

| Key Players (Or Starters) |

[ Updated on 06/11/23 at 18:22. ]

Simon (Raya/Sánchez as back ups, Simon starts Vs Costa Rica)

Laporte (started against Costa Rica & Germany)

Alba (started against Costa Rica & Germany)

Gavi (started against Costa Rica , Germany & Japan)

Pedri (started against Costa Rica, Germany & Japan)

Morata (did not start against Costa Rica/Germany, but he came on as substitute to score/assist, started and scored against Japan)

Ferran Torres (started against Costa Rica, scored a brace, started in Spain’s 1-1 draw against Germany)

● 15 goals scored in 35 appearances for Spain [ Updated on 14/12/22 at 23:50. ]

| Possible Starter |

Asensio (can play in a few different positions, as a midfielder/attacking midfielder, wide forward or as a 9/false 9 of sorts) [ Started Vs Costa Rica & Germany.  ]

| Players To Look Out For |

Fati

● Scored and impressed against Jordan (3-1) in midweek (pushing for a start/may get more minutes as the tournament goes on) [ Came on as a substitute against Japan).

● Young talented Barcelona midfielder who at 18 years old is contention to start for Spain at the 2022 World Cup

| Germany 🇩🇪 [ Eliminated ] |

● 4 times winners of the World Cup (2014, 1990, 1974 & 1954)

● World Cup winners in 2014

| Fixtures |

Vs Japan (Al Rayyan, Khalifa, 23/11/22, 13:00 GMT)

Vs Spain (Al Khar, 27/11/22, 19:00 GMT)

Vs Costa Rica (Al Khar, 01/12/22, 19:00 GMT)

| Key Players (Or Starters) |

Neuer (if/when available)

Rüdiger (possible starter)

Sule

Kimmich

● Can play at right back but is more likely to pull the strings from the 6 position

Musalia

● Young 19 year old Bayern Münich player who may be set to play as an attacking midfielder/number 10 for Flick’s Germany

Sané/Gnabry

Havertz/Muller

| Possible Starter(s) |

Füllkrug

Werner

| Japan 🇯🇵 [ Eliminated ] |

● Entering a 7th consecutive World Cup

● Fast, very technical, tricky side

● Not to be underestimated

| Fixtures |

Vs Germany (Al Rayyan / Khalifia, 23/11/22, 13:00 GMT)

Vs Costa Rica (Al Rayyan, Ahmed bin Alli, 27/11/22, 10:00 GMT)

Vs Spain (Al Rayyan, Khalifia, 01/12/22 19:00 GMT)

Vs Croatia 1-1 (beaten on penalties AET, DEFEAT)

| Key Players (Or Starters) |

Yoshida [ Added to this list on 23/11/22 at 15:44. ]

Endo

| Possible Starters (More Squad Options) |

Tomiyasu (did not start against Germany , came on as a substitute in Japan’s 2-1 win against the 2014 World Cup winners)

Minimino (did not start, came on as a substitute in Japan’s first and second match)

| Costa Rica 🇨🇷 [ Eliminated ]|

● Reached the knock-out rounds (quarter-finals to be precise) in 2014 (progressing from a group of former World Cup winners & effectively knocking out Italy & England)

● Navas, Oveido, Ruiz & Campbell remain Costa Rica players entering into the 2022 World Cup

● Entering a 6th World Cup (with a population of just over 5 million people, first World Cup was in 1990)

● Costa Rica are one of 4 nations to present CONCACAF at the 2014 World Cup (Costa Rica, USA, Mexico & Canada)

| Fixtures |

| Key Players (Or Starters) |

Vs Spain (Doha, Al Thumama, 23/11/22 16:00 GMT)

Vs Japan (Ahmad bin Alli, 27/11/22, 10:00 GMT)

Vs Germany (Al Khar, 01/12/22, 19:00 GMT)

Navas

Costa Rica’s number 1

Oveido

The former Everton full back/wing back is still about (remember him eh)

| Possible Starter |

Bryan Ruiz

● 146 caps for Costa Rica [ Updated on 02/12/22 at 13:59. ]

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 LOVE. PEACE. REBEL. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

https://zonerism.com/2022/11/20/no-structure-per-se-going-with-the-flow-to-be-added-to-world-cup-group-f-celebrating-languages-diversity-culture/