Spain vs Russia

Spain vs. Russia: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info for World Cup 2018

KALININGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 25: Head coach Fernando Hierro of Spain gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Spain and Morocco at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 25, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
TF-Images/Getty Images

After a group stage in which things did not always go to plan for Spain, they will hope for a fresh start in the round of 16 when they take on hosts Russia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

La Roja topped Group B but picked up just one win, against Iran, as Portugal and Morocco held them to high-scoring draws.

Russia beat Saudi Arabia and Egypt before losing to Uruguay to finish second in Group A.

                              

Date: Sunday, July 1

Time: 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET

TV: BBC (UK), Fox (U.S.)

Live Stream: BBC website (UK), Fox Soccer 2GO (U.S.)

                  

Team News

According to Marca's Jose Felix Diaz and Miguel Angel Lara, Spain boss Fernando Hierro could be set to replace Thiago Alcantara with Koke, while Marco Asensio could also be brought in to start.

Per Tom Doyle of the Evening Standard, Aleksandr Erokhin could be available for Russia after a foot injury, while Alan Dzagoev—who limped out of their first match early on with a hamstring injury—has returned to training.

Igor Smolnikov was sent off in Russia's most recent match, so he will be suspended on Sunday.

                         

Preview

Spain were firmly among the tournament favourites before it began, but Julen Lopetegui's sacking on the eve of the World Cup appears to have unsettled La Roja.

They were unconvincing at the back throughout the group stage, not only against the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo but also against Morocco, who found the net twice.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan believes they could still go far if they can improve, though:

Although they struggled to break down Iran in their second group-stage match, La Roja have been more impressive going forward.

Diego Costa scored twice against Portugal, while Iago Aspas saved their blushes with a last-minute backheel flick against Morocco.

As football journalist Alexandra Jonson noted, Aspas perhaps deserves to be used more often by Spain: