Can Spain do it again in Rio 2014?

Can Spain win a fourth international trophy in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? With the qualifying matches for the finals well underway, punters and football fans are busy trying to answer this question. It has to be said, the Spanish national side has everything to lose. As the only team in history take home the silverware in three consecutive major tournaments (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012), it seems La Furia Roja may be unstoppable.

Spain Must Find Fresh Legs

There is a catch for Spain, however. Several of the star players who lifted the Euro 2012 trophy in Kiev will probably not be around for the World Cup matches in Brazil. This is one of the main challenges facing manager Vincente del Bosque as the qualifiers progress. Can he find the right men to replace (possibly) the likes of Xavi Hernandez, David Villa and Carles Puyol?

There’s Depth in the Spanish Squad

Spain is suffering from no shortage of potential candidates to stand in for veterans closer to the end of their international careers. So much so that it may not even be a matter of choice for Hernandez and the other Spanish legends: it’s possible they simply won’t make the starting eleven in Brazil. But can the new talent be ready in time? It’s a given that Spain will get to the World Cup – the real challenge is winning it. 

Time Will Tell…

It remains to be seen whether, for example, young guns such as right-back Martin Montoya, left-back Jordi Alba and defensive midfielder Javi Martinez have what it takes to extend Spain’s record-breaking run even further.