World Cup 2018, Spain vs Russia: 5 key battles that can decide the outcome of the game

#1 Isco vs Mario Fernandes

Isco has been a delight to watch in this tournament

Isco has quickly emerged as a serious contender for the Golden Ball award with some dazzling performances under his belt and the next hurdle en route to ultimate glory in national team colours arises in the form of Russia. The Real Madrid midfielder reached the pinnacle in club football after he became a part of the Los Blancos’ 3rd consecutive Champions League title and he undoubtedly boasts of talent that can turn the outcome of any game on its own.

The 26-year-old is Spain’s creator-in-chief and has looked very dangerous down the left flank, where he is deployed to try and provide some much-needed width to La Furia Roja. Isco is expected to lock horns with Russia’s Brazilian born right-back Mario Fernandes, who has been tidy in his two appearances so far in the tournament. Fernandes was rested for the game against Uruguay and Russia faced the consequences as his replacement, Igor Smolnikov, was sent off after picking up two yellow cards.

The duo will contest a fiery battle on the wide areas and although Isco’s wealth of experience at the highest of levels and abundance in talent slightly edges it in favour of him, the outcome is far from predictable especially after what we have seen so far in this tournament.