World Cup group B: Portugal vs. Spain team news, starting XIs and live TV details

Morocco play Iran in St Petersburg followed
by Portugal against Spain in Sochi

Preview

Real president Florentino Pérez was in no mood to draw a line
under the furore, describing Lopetegui’s sacking as “an absurd reaction of
misunderstanding and pride” and insisting the club had acted with
transparency in their approach to Lopetegui.

“There was no reason at all why Julen Lopetegui should not
have been on the Spain national team bench,” said Perez. “We feel
for him that he could not achieve his great goal of success with
his country.”

Now it’s up to his successor, Fernando Hierro, to restore
order to the Spanish camp, but what about their opponents this
evening in Sochi? Barely a word has been said about Portugal who,
lest one forgets, are the reigning European
champions. 

What must they have thought as they watched the
sensational events in the Spanish squad? Whatever their emotions,
coach Fernando Santos gave little away when he faced the press
yesterday.

“[Tonight] is the opening game for two great sides with
great players, we will have Fernando Hierro against us, I wish him
luck, but not too much against us,” said Santos, who guided to
Portugal to victory over France in the Euro 2016 final. “It is a
game between two great sides, who both think they can
win.”

Today’s World Cup group B fixtures

• Portugal vs. Spain at Fisht Stadium, Sochi (7pm, BBC
  One) 
• Morocco vs. Iran at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, St Petersburg
  (4pm, ITV)

Portugal’s form has been patchy going in to the World Cup
with a 3-0 defeat of Algeria preceded by a goalless stalemate
against Belgium and a 2-2 draw versus Tunisia.

Asked if he expected any change in approach from their
opponents in the wake of Lopetegui’s sacking, Santos replied:
“Spain has played the same way for 10 years. I don’t think there
will be any surprises, what is important is the
players.”

In those ten years Portugal have never beaten Spain but
Santos gave short shrift to a question about that unwanted record.
“History is history and the present is now.”

It was a similar message from Portuguese midfielder Joao
Moutinho, who said he didn’t believe the upheaval would have a
negative impact on Spain.

“Spain have prepared well and have been working for a few
weeks, so it won’t really alter what they have been doing in
preparation and qualifying games,” he said. “We expect to face a
strong side and a united one.”

Moutinho and his midfield partner William Carvalho will be
central to Portugal’s chances this evening in Sochi and if they can
contain the creativity of Andres Iniesta and Isco then Cristiano
Ronaldo will focus on getting the better of Real Madrid teammate
Sergio Ramos.

Ronaldo has failed to score in four appearances against
Spain and Ramos, who has described event this week as “delicate
days”, will look to make that five.

Portugal have no injury concerns but Spain are waiting to
see if Daniel Carvajal’s hamstring passes a fitness test and if it
doesn’t, Alvaro Odriozola will step in at right-back.

Portugal vs. Spain: likely line-ups

The group B clash is live on BBC One at 7pm.

• Portugal: Patricio; Soares, Pepe, Fernandes, Guerreiro;
  B.Silva, Carvalho, Joao Mario, Martins; Ronaldo, Silva 
• Spain: De Gea; Odriozola, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Alcantara,
  Busquets, Iniesta; Isco, Costa, Silva

Morocco vs. Iran

Before Portugal take on Spain this evening, Morocco and
Iran will kick-off the group B matches when they clash at the Saint
Petersburg Stadium at 4pm.

Morocco full-back Nabil Dirar missed the warm-up matches against
Slovakia and Estonia due an injury, but he hopes to fit, the
BBC reports. 

Iran midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi is suspended and there are
injury concerns over striker Mehdi Taremi and midfielder Askhan
Dejagah.