MADRID, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Spain's 1-0 win against Tunisia in their last warm-up game means the side coached by Julen Lopetegui will kick off their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Portugal unbeaten in two years under the former U-21 boss.
However, the performance by the Spanish, who needed an 84th minute goal from Iago Aspas to defeat Tunisia, will continue to raise doubts about their form as they go into the competition.
As expected Lopetegui gave Rodrigo Moreno a start, hinting that he could be considering kicking off against Portugal without a fixed number nine in the side. The pacy and mobile Aspas scored the winner while Diego Costa was the supplier of the pass to set up the only goal serving to highlight the game.
While there will be a debate over whether Costa, Aspas or Moreno should start in attack, the rest of the Spanish side looks to be defined. David de Gea played another 90 minutes in goal, meaning that despite his error against Switzerland a week ago, he is first choice.
With Dani Carvajal out against Portugal, Alvaro Odriozolo kicked off at right back with Nacho Fernandez replacing him at half time. Odriozola offers more going forward than Nacho, but Lopetegui may prefer Nacho to close down his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in Sochi.
Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba made up the rest of the defense and it's hard to see anyone else starting in their place, while the midfield of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Thiago Alcantara, Isco and David Silva also has a great chance of starting, unless Lopetegui opts to start with two strikers.
Given that Spain only managed four shots despite having over 65 percent of ball possession, that can't be ruled out, with Thiago perhaps most at risk, but it's clear that Lopetegui has a clear and defined style of play.
As for Tunisia, they will meet England in Volgograd in their group opener and the African side showed they will be no pushover as they defended solidly and with order. Any England fans expecting to stroll into the last 16 alongside Belgium could be up for a rude awakening in what promises to be the defining match in Group G on June 18.
