World Cup: Spain on track despite upheaval, says Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta is convinced Spain have what it takes to contend for the World

Cup title despite a shaky start and the dismissal of coach Julen Lopetegui on the

eve of the tournament.

The 2010 world champions qualified for the last 16 as winners of Group B ahead

of Cristiano Ronaldo ’ s Portugal , and face hosts Russia in Moscow on Sunday .

Spain are unbeaten in 23 matches , a run dating back to Euro 2016 , but the Spanish

federation ’ s decision to sack Lopetegui after he accepted the Real Madrid job

threatened to derail their campaign.

“ It ’ s clear that it ’ s an unusual

circumstance that doesn ’ t

happen often , but that ’ s what

happened and you have to take

things as they are, ” Chelsea

defender Azpilicueta said in an

interview with AFP .

“ You can ’ t shy away , you have

to accept the reality . We must

do our work in the best way we

can and go as far as possible . ”

Fernando Hierro , the former

Real captain who played 89

times for Spain , was appointed

to replace Lopetegui despite limited previous coaching experience .

The 50 - year - old Hierro spent a single season in charge of second division Spanish

outfit Oviedo , but Azpilicueta is confident he can handle the international role .

“ Fernando has shown great enthusiasm , he ’ s very involved . He had to face up to

this situation and he is giving everything he has to help us , to improve the team , ”

he said .

“ I have no doubt we ’ re going to achieve our goal . ”

“ The dynamic is very good , very similar to that of the last two years, ” he added.

“ The group is united , with a desire to grow , and thirsty for victory . Each coach has

their own way of working but there haven ’ t been any big changes .”

Spain find themselves in a half of the draw that includes just one other former

champion , England, although a porous defence has been a cause for concern .

Ronaldo scored a hat - trick in a

thrilling 3- 3 draw with Portugal in

their opening game , while Spain ’ s

backline was breached twice more by

Morocco .

“ It ’ s true that we ’ ve scored goals but

we ’ve also conceded a lot of them

too , ” said Azpilicueta . “ We ’ re

professionals , we have clear minds

and we know we can offer more .

“ We’ re an offensive team , with lots

of attacking players, and we ’ ve

always had this problem . When you get lots of players up front , sometimes a

counter - attack can take you by surprise and lead to a chance for the opposition .

“ We must work on this point and regain our solidity . ”

Russia will have the backing of the vast majority of the 80 , 000 fans at the iconic

Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow , and Azpilicueta is aware of the problems the home

side can pose .

Spain drew 3- 3 with Russia in a friendly in Saint Petersburg last November, a game

in which Krasnodar forward Fedor Smolov netted twice .

“ They ’ re playing at home and it ’ s clear we don ’ t have any room for error ,” said

Azpilicueta .

“ We have to give our all from the first minute to the last . Russia are a solid team

physically with quality players and we suffered against them in a friendly in Saint

Petersburg.

“ Aside from their last match, they ’ ve won with a certain ease and it will be a

difficult game