As much as the heart yearns for England to be winners, there is an international consensus that the favourites for the World Cup are to be one of Brazil and Spain – and these two teams could well meet in the final.
A comparison between the two sides merely serves to indicate that these teams are both astonishingly strong in all departments.
As the USA showed Spain in the Confederations Cup last summer, and Bolivia showed Brazil in October, they are both beatable. Nevertheless, Spain’s record is particularly outstanding.
Spain’s midfield axis of Xavi and Iniesta enables the Barcelona duo to control games against any opposition as at club level, though Iniesta’s position is more withdrawn for the national side.
This was clearly demonstrated in England’s 2009 game against Spain in Seville, which they lost 2-0, with Carrick chasing shadows in midfield throughout.