Ronaldo versus Ramos, opponents for one night. The last two national champions of Europe. The derby of the Iberian Peninsula. The last Ballon d'Or, Portuguese, against many of his teammates at Real Madrid, Spaniards. Spain that wants to return to the world throne after its triumph in 2010, and Portugal that wants to climb it for the first time, after winning the European Championship two years ago. There is no shortage of ideas in the first match of the World Cup in Russia 2018, which started just one day ago: tonight at 20 (21 local time) at Fisht Stadium di Sochi take the field two of the best teams in the tournament.
However, with two opposing moods: Portugal, strong in the leadership of its ace Cr7, is serene and has little to lose, not suffering the pressure of being among the top favourites; la Roja, on the other hand, is decidedly shaken – and it couldn't be otherwise – by the Lopetegui case, the now ex coach who signed with Real Madrid just 48 hours after his mundial debut, communicating it to the Federation only after the fact. An almost inevitable consequence: the ex-star of the national team and the blancos Fernando Hierro, a great interpreter of Spanish football in the 90s and until a few days ago the manager of the expedition to Russia 2018, was hurriedly called in his place.
The match (perhaps already decisive at least for first place) is valid for group B, in which Morocco and Iran also play. Who knows whether one of the two could take advantage of a misstep from Roja or Portugal, or even a draw that could open up unthinkable scenarios. Spain on the pitch with the traditional 4-1-4-1, trademark with Busquets "one" in midfield and an offensive traction threequarters with Iniesta at his last World Cup, Silva from City, Thiago Alcantara from Bayern and Isco from Real. The only point should be Diego Costa but the use of one between Rodrigo and the revelation Iago Aspas is not excluded. Among the Lusitanians you can still see the eternal Pepe, the former Nerazzurri Joao Mario, the Milan striker Andre Silva and obviously Cristiano Ronaldo.
