All set for fascinating rivalry

The days of sanity are numbered as the world prepares to set its foot into a frenzied universe where god is round. A ball pursued by grown up men is pretty much going to decide the temperament of the people around us and as passion assumes numerous forms this summer, PIYUSH BISHT takes a look at the World Cup groups which are going to be at the centre of it all

World Cup’s Group B  has attracted much interest and deservedly so — this being the group where two of the four contenders have won three European titles between them from 2008 to 2016: Spain in 2008 and 2012 and Portugal — the reigning Champions since 2016. A battle between the two, which will be the 36th Iberian derby, shall mark the highlight of the group's fixtures but only after the other two teams — Morocco and Iran — kick-off their World Cup campaign against each other. Morocco are back in the World Cup  after their third appearance 20 years ago while Iran's fifth participation in the tournament also marks their involvement in two consecutive World Cups for the first time. 

PORTUGAL

After chiming in a European Championship to their trophy cabinet two years ago, the Portuguese have clearly shirked off the disappointing brand of being the dark horses at major international events. Complacency in Russia will be the death for this team, and therefore a policy best left unattended — which is why head coach Fernando Santos will need to come up with a remedy to fill up the cracks. The team's defence, with an ageing Pepe cutting a solitary figure (in terms of a fearsome reputation) at the centre of it, can use some of that.

The offensive front, on the other hand, has little worries with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the lot and Bernardo Silva and Andre Silva expected to get involved in creative displays. Moreover, Ricardo Quaresma, who is likely to be summoned off the bench, might have lost a bit of pace in recent years, but the outlandish magic on his feet remains intact.

SPAIN

The best way to sum up La Roja's chances this summer in Russia would be to simply quote that they look like themselves again. There were doubts — of humongous proportions — when Spain, the defending champions after attaining catharsis in South Africa, were toppled out of the World Cup in Brazil at the group stage. Further misery followed after Italy drove them out of the 2016 Euro Championship — the tournament which their first group rivals in Russia eventually won.

But then on came Julen Lopetegui, picking up the pieces and composing from the fragments a new poetry. The theme, nevertheless, appears familiar,  bringing its own dosage of nostalgia from eight years ago: the Ramos-Pique confluence at the heart of the defence and Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets at the heart of the entire formation. Moreover, there is another piece that floats perfectly in Spain’s   fluidity and can become their hero this year — Isco. The only disturbing note is the lack of a natural striker up ahead, with the likes of David Villa and Fernando Torres no more available to sneak past defences — a worrying aspect that could prove to be the grain in the shoe for Spain beyond the group stage.

MOROCCO

Coach Herve Renard has struck the right chords in the Morocco national team — instigating the emotions of a group frustrated by their failures and channeling them into a spirit befitting of warriors. Renard's side conceded only a single goal in their World Cup qualifying campaign and now have passionate stars in their ranks in the form of Ajax's Hakim Ziyech and a 19-year old Achraf Hakimi, who at Real Madrid has been under the watchful eye of Zinedine Zidane.

iran

Despite doubts in central defence with Jalal Hosseini being dropped and the team struggling to find an efficient defensive partnership, Iran look stronger than they did in Brazil four years ago. Their key strength depends on the form of players like Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Sardar Azmoun. The latter, in particular, will be closely watched after being dubbed as the 'Iranian Messi' and can prove to be a crucial factor in Iran's finish at group stage, with number three being the realistic aim for Carlos Queiroz's men. A future beyond that seems highly questionable, considering that the top two slots will be gobbled up by the Iberian nations.