2018 FIFA World Cup: 5 highly anticipated group matches

#1. Spain vs Portugal

The Spain-Portugal match will be the most anticipated group game at the 2018 World Cup

Group B is the most straight-forward group in the tournament as Spain and Portugal are favoured to stroll to the knockout stages ahead of Iran and Morocco. The Iberian neighbours play the second match of Group B at Sochi on 15th June, 4 years and 2 days after Spain were thrashed 5-1 by Netherlands at the previous World Cup. It will also be nearly four years since Portugal lost 4-0 to Germany at the previous World Cup.

Spain have a powerful team with the likes of David de Gea, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Alvaro Morata, all of whom have been brilliant this season so far. With an abundance of talent, experience and maturity, it is safe to say that Spain will fare a lot better in Russia than they did in Brazil where they had the talent and experience but lacked the maturity.

Portugal of course have Cristiano Ronaldo who has played a lot with and against most of the Spanish players. Besides Ronaldo, Portugal have a sea of talent in Nani, Andre Silva, Andre Gomes, Rui Patricio and Joao Mario. They also have Eder who could spring up a surprise goal out of nowhere like he did in the Euro final last year.

Spain and Portugal haven’t met since their Euro 2012 semi-final clash in Donetsk which the former won on penalties. Even though a number of players from that match will be playing in Russia, it is really hard to say who will come on top. Nevertheless, both sides will be hoping to start their World Cup campaign strongly and this will be the most anticipated match-up in the 2018 World Cup group stage.