Spain's winning form at the World Cup has a lot to do with the work Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has done with the players who are on duty with the national team, club president Joan Laporta said on Monday.
Spain lead Group E -- dubbed the 'group of death' -- with four points after two games. They opened their campaign with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica before being held to a 1-1 draw by Germany on Sunday.
Fernandes does not possess the speed, power or goal-scoring prowess of CR7 but he did what was needed to get Portugal through in a game where Ronaldo huffed and puffed but failed to get on the score sheethttps://t.co/Q9BE72aPO4
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 29, 2022
Barcelona's midfielder Gavi became the country's youngest World Cup player in the match against Costa Rica, and the youngest to score since Brazil great Pele in 1958.
Laporta said Spain are among the front-runners for the title in Qatar as coach Luis Enrique has been making good use of the players Xavi has trained at Barcelona, who top the LaLiga standings.
Wales heading for exit door, but live in hope against England.https://t.co/PpJfhswSfc
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 29, 2022
"I think (Spain's performance) it's fantastic. It's a source of pride for Barca to see how our players and the national team are playing ... They are one of the favourites to win the World Cup, along with Brazil and France," Laporta told reporters on Monday.
"Xavi is doing very well, we are first in LaLiga. What is happening in the Spanish national team is a consequence of Xavi's good work. Luis Enrique has been very successful by creating a block of players, mostly from our club, which facilitates the game.
At the same time, the fact that the world's most expensive footballer has yet to score in the tournament "is the best result Brazil's had in the World Cup," he joked@neymarjr @CBF_Futebol @FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom #neymarjr #Qatar2022 https://t.co/YUXbHuYJPQ
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 29, 2022
"The merit of this national team is Xavi's, because he gives them minutes in the Barca first team", he added.
Spain take on Japan on Thursday in their final group stage match.
