Spain are my favourites to win the World Cup and I backed them ever since I saw them lose to Italy in Euro 2020.

We’ve only watched each team play once at the FIFA World Cup so we shouldn’t make too many judgement calls but it’s always fun to identify who’s been the best so far, and it’s Spain who have impressed me most.

Bearing in mind the team that plays the best football of the World Cup rarely wins the World Cup we shouldn’t get too excited from Spain’s 7-0 win over Costa Rica. Let’s also not forgot the Central American side are amongst if not the weakest in the tournament.

Spain didn’t play a natural number 9 but their free flowing football was beautiful. Olmo, Asensio and Ferran Torres is some front 3 and with world class teenagers Pedri and Gavi pulling the strings behind them it’s a fun front 5 with creativity, pace and finishing ability in abundance. Rodri playing at centre back ensures distribution will always be of the highest quality whilst full backs Alba and Azpilicueta together with Busquets provide the guile, leadership and experience needed to compete with the very best.

The manager is impressive too. Watching Luis Enrique’s team live at Wembley last summer dominate eventual winners Italy at Euro 2020 was the only evidence I needed to back Spain this time round. Enrique’s team section is unpredictable and he makes decisions the media often question, but all I see (regardless of the personnel) is beautiful peak Barcelona style football. In my opinion Spain have the best manager at the World Cup which is why I I’ve been talking up their chances of lifting the trophy for the last few months. Sure Brazil, France, England and Argentina were shorter odds to win pre tournament but where’s the fun cheering on the favourites!?