Spain vs Russia: Iniesta left out of Spanish starting line-up
07:25 PM, July 01, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 08:00 PM, July 01, 2018

Iniesta left out of Spanish starting line-up against Russia

Spain left Andres Iniesta out of their starting line-up for their World Cup second round tie against hosts Russia on Sunday.

Spain coach Fernando Hierro decided to field Sergio Busquets and Koke in front of the defence with David Silva, Isco and Marco Asensio ahead of them and Diego Costa as the lone centre forward.

Nacho replaced Dani Carvajal at right back in another change from the side which needed a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Morocco in their final group game.

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov reverted back to his favourite 5-3-2 formation, with three central defenders and Artem Dzyuba as the lone forward.

Starting line-ups for the World Cup last-16 tie between hosts Russia and Spain at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday (1400 GMT kick-off):

Russia (5-3-2)

Igor Akinfeev (capt); Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov, Sergey Ignashevich, Fedor Kudriashov, Yury Zhirkov; Roman Zobnin, Daler Kuziaev, Alexander Samedov; Aleksandr Golovin, Artem Dzyuba

Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov (RUS)

Spain (4-2-3-1)

David De Gea; Nacho, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos (capt), Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Koke; Isco, Marco Asensio, David Silva; Diego Costa

Coach: Fernando Hierro (ESP)

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (NED)


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