Spain shake off group-stage slumber to remind world of their World Cup credentials

There’s a famous saying about Spain in World Cups: they often take a while to get going, but once they do, watch out. After a labored group-stage campaign that left many questioning their credentials, La Roja have finally woken up. Their latest performance was a statement: Spain are back in business.

The wake-up call

For much of the group stage, Spain looked like a team sleepwalking. The passing was crisp, but it lacked incision. The possession was high, but the end product was missing. Yet football fans know that in a tournament, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And Spain have finished the group phase with a jolt of energy. The side that took the pitch in the knockout rounds bore little resemblance to the one that labored through its opening fixtures. The tempo was higher, the movement sharper, the finishing more ruthless. It was a reminder that this squad, despite its youth and inexperience at this level, is capable of dismantling any opponent.

Why this matters

Spain’s transformation is significant for the knockout rounds. In a World Cup where form swings wildly, teams that peak at the right time often go all the way. La Roja’s style—based on patient build-up and positional play—can be suffocating when executed well. The early stages of the tournament saw their opponents sit deep and frustrate them, but now they’re finding gaps that didn’t exist before. The midfield, led by the likes of Pedri and Gavi, is starting to dictate terms more authoritatively. And the defense, which looked shaky at times, has tightened up. If this version of Spain shows up for the remainder of the competition, they will be a nightmare matchup for anyone.

What it means going forward

The message is clear: Spain are peaking at the perfect time. The margin for error is now razor-thin in the knockout stage, but this team has the experience—and now the form—to handle it. Their ability to control games through possession means they can dictate the tempo and wear down opponents. With each passing match, the confidence grows. The business end of the World Cup is where legends are made, and Spain look ready to write their chapter. If they can maintain this intensity, there’s no reason they can’t go all the way.