Luis Enrique, the Spain coach, has asked himself whether it might be better not to win Group E and instead finish second to avoid Brazil, which is precisely why his team will not try to engineer an easy route through the World Cup.
The selección are top of the group and victory against Japan on Thursday would guarantee progress as group winners, but they also know a point would see them through to the last 16 and avoid Brazil in the quarter-final.
“We have reflected on it,” Luis Enrique said, “but from a professional point of view, imagine that we speculate. 'OK, we want to be second, that's in our interests.' We get to the 95th minute and in both games it's 0-0, 0-0, [thinking:] 'Everything's going great.' And then Costa Rica go and score and Japan score. And in 15 seconds you're out because you have been speculating for 90 minutes. Or the other way round: Germany are winning 5-0 and we're drawing and that will do and then Japan score and you're out.
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“When you're a very good team and you want to play seven games, you want to be first. We play the team that's second in Group F, right? And then in the quarter-final … in theory it's Brazil. OK, great. We play Brazil then. We can't count like the milkmaid.”
The milkmaid's metaphor is an equivalent to counting your chickens, a parable in which the protagonist believes the milk her cow produces will allow her to buy a goat, a horse and a farm until one day she trips and spills all the milk.
Luis Enrique also drew on a real-world parallel, citing summer's basketball European championshipwhen Croatia deliberately missed a late free throw to finish third in the group rather than second, allowing them to go into what they thought was the easier half of the draw that included Spain, who they wanted to face. They lost their first knockout game to Finland and didn't even get to face Spain, who went on to win it.
“Elite sport doesn't let you speculate,” Luis Enrique said. “To win a World Cup, you have to beat everyone, or everyone you face. So that's what we're going to try to do.
Rapdlnosuz
0
you are a clown, Japan already f*cked Spain
Charlie futball full of surprises
Kuebceipyz
0
Spain can score brazil hands down brazill is not scary as compared to their previous matches
you are a clown, Japan already f*cked Spain
Yuhbcikmuy
1
spend picture
Kuebceipyz
0
So too was Germany… before they got wiped last year and drew this year… I’m sure Brazil had good stats against a lot of the teams that knocked them out before… Spain will win this … they are better and more organised
Spain is not Germany and Germany put behind their prime time
Kuebceipyz
0
Lmao… doesn’t matter to me what Vini does… I just know Brazil will concede against the Spanish… Spain will win that game
you are a Spain supporter so you can dream like this but I will suggest you to come in reality. best of your luck and I really wish Spain to face Brazil.
valverde7
0
Brazil will smash Spain because Brasil stats are always good against them
So too was Germany… before they got wiped last year and drew this year… I’m sure Brazil had good stats against a lot of the teams that knocked them out before… Spain will win this … they are better and more organised
valverde7
0
this is not about to score, Spain will suffer to cope up with vini's speed,
Lmao… doesn’t matter to me what Vini does… I just know Brazil will concede against the Spanish… Spain will win that game
Kuebceipyz
1
Son…. Vinicius and Neymar haven’t even scored yet in the World Cup 😂😂😂 and they faced easyyyyy teams… don’t talk about Spain would only conceded 1 goal and they’ve played Germany ☝🏼 any smart person with footballing sense knows that Brazil will have it harder than any match they’ve played… but I’m not sure Brazil will be as hard for Spain as Germany was ☝🏼 I actually don’t mind Spain sending them home early 🔥
this is not about to score, Spain will suffer to cope up with vini's speed,
kuybdikps
2
Son…. Vinicius and Neymar haven’t even scored yet in the World Cup 😂😂😂 and they faced easyyyyy teams… don’t talk about Spain would only conceded 1 goal and they’ve played Germany ☝🏼 any smart person with footballing sense knows that Brazil will have it harder than any match they’ve played… but I’m not sure Brazil will be as hard for Spain as Germany was ☝🏼 I actually don’t mind Spain sending them home early 🔥
Brazil will smash Spain because Brasil stats are always good against them
kuybdikps
0
why everyone want to avoid brasil
because they are still the best
EdenHazard01
3
To win a World Cup, you have to beat everyone, or everyone you face, period! In 98, Nigeria were obsessed with meeting Brazil in the Quarter finals and took Denmark for granted, in the end, they never meet Brazil.
jeyamorstu
4
so Brazil is that great and they labour so much against Switzerland
Switzerland beat Spain In Uefa Nations.
DieHardMadridFan
1
Son…. Vinicius and Neymar haven’t even scored yet in the World Cup 😂😂😂 and they faced easyyyyy teams… don’t talk about Spain would only conceded 1 goal and they’ve played Germany ☝🏼 any smart person with footballing sense knows that Brazil will have it harder than any match they’ve played… but I’m not sure Brazil will be as hard for Spain as Germany was ☝🏼 I actually don’t mind Spain sending them home early 🔥
You don't have sense
46fhb
1
so Brazil is that great and they labour so much against Switzerland
😂🤣😂🤣how old are you?, kids lol hahahaha
Alexandrian
0
be determined and confident
fuhbclnrtu
0
well said my guy
Liokoptuy
0
Spain can score brazil hands down brazill is not scary as compared to their previous matches
Even German that everyone knows they are down you Spain struggle to survive. Let see how it end it is football
Liokoptuy
3
so Brazil is that great and they labour so much against Switzerland
Have you forgotten that Switzerland pack the bus to avoid more goals. Open up when you meet them.
secbilnsuz
1
why everyone want to avoid brasil
Cembeimops
2
so Brazil is that great and they labour so much against Switzerland
Cembeimops
0
what a words from sensible coach
BigCamaro
0
Brazil ,France boths are not good teams..
Spain is playing good football than anyone in the world cup. But you know football works
kuylotyz
3
I always says Spain is the best in the worlds though I support Argentina..
kuylotyz
0
Spain can score brazil hands down brazill is not scary as compared to their previous matches
Brazil ,France boths are not good teams..
kopeimoyz
0
if you face Brazil, it is your end of competition
I'm not so sure
vuhabnprsz
2
Spain can score brazil hands down brazill is not scary as compared to their previous matches
Tickle yourself and smile
Donbekosy
2
There are people who are only good at insults. Their only focus is to know the person's name and club/country. gbammm!!!! next to follow, so, so insults. This coach strike a wonderful point, that which can even be used outside of football. It is a good lesson to learn by those that are intelligent. But Aaaa!!!
Manchesterisblue
3
What if japan and costa rica win those matches and qualify instead of these 2. That would definitely be an interesting scenario 🤣🤣
Mutbcdinop
0
is Japan done for? they might surprise you though
suzbdklst
5
the coach is right... you have to go and do your job and that's winning, if you want to be the best, beat the best 💯 they might not even face each other because we've seen how shocking the small teams have come out to compete 🤞💯 Spain must go out there and win, otherwise the worst can happen. in group stages, is all about making sure you go through and stop worrying about other things, is about doing your job. period
valverde7
1
Vinicius and Neymar will use Spain to dance skelewu
Son…. Vinicius and Neymar haven’t even scored yet in the World Cup 😂😂😂 and they faced easyyyyy teams… don’t talk about Spain would only conceded 1 goal and they’ve played Germany ☝🏼 any smart person with footballing sense knows that Brazil will have it harder than any match they’ve played… but I’m not sure Brazil will be as hard for Spain as Germany was ☝🏼 I actually don’t mind Spain sending them home early 🔥
Rapdlnosuz
2
Portugal trying ways and means to escape Brazil
Rapdlnosuz
3
Spain can score brazil hands down brazill is not scary as compared to their previous matches
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
0
You are talking about quarter final when you never even get past the first knock out round... you dey smoke Igbo
Neromax9
0
On attacking part, Spain better than Brazil but Brazil defense are great in the tournament.
veucknpty
1
well we all know you are shaking under table enrique ha ha would you rather draw and or win and meet brazil in quater no less... ofcoure you will draw😂 just accept it
hoocdeopru
2
I liked the guy confidence( if they can scored 4 then we can score 6) if you know you know nd if you don’t know then forget about it 😉☺️
ICONIcCLUB
5
Vinicius and Neymar will use Spain to dance skelewu
yamabcdeiu
2
if you face Brazil, it is your end of competition
Stickle
0
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.