Defending an unbeaten record of 14 matches, Spain will play their first preparatory friendly for the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Saturday, November 11. At the La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga, they host the Costa Rican team. The clash has kick-off scheduled for 18:30 (Brasília time).

The recent performance of Spain

The Fury managed to qualify with less difficulty than was expected in a group that also had Italy, four-time world champion. He secured his place with a round of anticipation by securing the top spot in Group G with 28 (nine wins and one draw) out of 30 possible. He scored 36 goals and had the weakest defense of the European qualifiers with just three goals conceded.
The most recent Spanish defeat happened in the Euro 2016. Against Italy, on June 27, took 2 to 0 in the last game under the command of Vicente Del Bosque. With the direction of Julen Lopetegui has reached 11 victories, including the last five games, and three draws.
For the kickoff of the preparation, Lopetegui offered no surprises. He called again striker Alvaro Morata and midfielder Andres Iniesta, who were off the last list by injury, and kept the naturalized Brazilian Diego Costa out. In litigation with Chelsea, the athlete has not yet appeared in the 2017/2018 season. He will not play again next year when, in January, at the opening of the transfer window, the negotiation with Atletico Madrid will take place.
To face the Costa Ricans and then Russia on November 14, the coach called:
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao), David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli)
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Marc Bartra (Borussia Dortmund), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Odriozola
Real Madrid, David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Luis (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets Alberto (Lazio), Suso (AC Milan)
Attackers: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Jose Callejon (Napoli), Rodrigo (Valencia), Alvaro Morata

The current form of Costa Rica

One of the great sensations of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when it was able to survive in a group that had the Uruguay, England and Italy world champions reaching the quarterfinals, Costa Rica confirmed the evolution of its football reaching the right to dispute the final phase of the competition for the sixth time in its history. Of the last five editions of the tournament, he secured the place in four.
In the deciding hexagonal of the North and Central American qualifiers, he took second place with 16 points (four wins, four draws and two losses), securing the spot in advance. He was only behind Mexico, who had 21 points. It even managed to reduce its competitiveness in the final rounds. In the last three matches, he tied twice and suffered a defeat. Before, in the fourth phase, had obtained the first place of its group of undefeated form. With five wins and a draw, he left behind Panama, Haiti and Jamaica.
In their mini-season in Europe, after Spain will face Hungary, who did not get a place in the World Cup in Russia on 14 November. The great low for the matches is one of the biggest stars of Costa Rican football. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Real Madrid, injured, can not be called by coach Oscar Ramirez.
Another drop will be fellow-fielder Joel Campbell of Betis who has yet to regain his best form after suffering a knee injury.
For the matches were called:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Danny Carvajal (Albacete) and Leonel Moreira (Herediano);
Defenders: Cristian Gamboa (Celtic), José Salvatierra (Alajuelense), Bryan Oviedo (Sunderland), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps), Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United), Ronald Matarrita (New York City), Óscar Duarte (Espanyol), Giancarlo González (Bologna) and Kenner Gutiérrez (Alajuelense);
Osvaldo Rodríguez (Santos de Guápiles), David Guzmán (Portland Timbers), Yeltsin Tejeda (Lausanne), Celso Borges (Deportivo), Christian Bolaños (Vancouver Whitecaps), Daniel Colindres (Saprissa), Rodney Wallace (New York City) and Bryan Ruiz (Sporting of Portugal).
Attackers: Johan Venegas (Minnesota United), Jose Guillermo Ortiz (Herediano) and Marco Ureña (San Jose Earthquakes).

History of the matches Spain vs Costa Rica
The teams have already met in two friendlies. There was a tie in 2011 (2 to 2) and Spanish victory (2 to 1) in 2015.

There is no doubt about the great technical superiority of Spain in comparison with Costa Rica. Even more with the rival not being able to count on its titular goalkeeper. Thus, home owners are the best betting option for the duel with a price of 1.14 on Bet365. Draw shows return of 7.50 and successful visitor multiplies the investment by 19.00.