World Cup 2018: Spain's 5 Key Players to Watch

#4 Marco Asensio

Marco Asensio could be Spain's impact substitute

Real Madrid's rising star Marco Asensio is only 22 but he has actually played more minutes than Isco and Gareth Bale in La Liga for his 6 goals and 6 assists. 2016/17 saw him break into the first team but 2017/18 has been his breakthrough season, with Asensio finishing with 10 goals in all competitions.

The only issue is that Asensio has only just broken into the Spain team. So making it into the starting lineup may be a step too far for the youngster.

However, like Zidane, Lopetegui could look to use Asensio as an impact substitute. Whether Real are ahead or behind, Asensio puts pressure on defenders and can be incisive when it matters the most.

Spain do not have many forwards to choose from. They are a midfield-heavy side and Asensio's unique ability to get forward and make himself available to shoot will be crucial to breaking down the opposition.

A man who usually delivers on the big occasions (as his goals in the Champions League in the last two seasons have shown), nothing gets bigger than the World Cup.