Spain, Panama arrive in Russia

Spain, Panama arrive in Russia

MOSCOW, June 8: Former World Cup winners Spain and debutants Panama arrived in Russia on Thursday for the 21st edition of the global football spectacle.

The pair and Saudi Arabia complete a trio of teams to have made it to Russia one week before next Thursday’s kickoff in Moscow.

Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and are one of the tournament’s favourites. They remain unbeaten in 19 matches under coach Julen Lopetegui, who took over the reins following the 2016 Euros.

Spain were seen off personally by King Filipe VI and will play their final warmup against Tunisia on Saturday by their base camp in the southern city of Krasnodar.

The Spaniards launch their campaign with one of the more anticipated group stage matches — a June 15 clash against Iberian rivals Portugal in the 2014 Winter Olympics host city Sochi.

The winner will be in pole position to come out on top in a Group B that also includes Morocco and Iran.

Panama snuck past the United States and Honduras to clinch their first World Cup appearance on a dramatic last day of qualifiers in the CONCACAF region.

Both teams’ arrival was carried live by Russia’s national rolling news channel. IANS

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