NY Times · Dec 1, 2022
World Cup: Spain and Germany Both Get Early Goals
Andrew DasJohn BranchSpain, which doesn’t absolutely have to win tonight but reallllllly tempts fate if it loses, has made five changes to its lineup for its final group-stage game against Japan.
Coach Luis Enrique made five changes, among them the return of Cesar Azpilicueta on defense and the first starts for Pau Torres and Alejandro Balde at the back. Álvaro Morata, who scored off the bench in Spain’s first two games, will get a chance to do it from the starting lineup this time.
Another player to watch: the captain Sergio Busquets, who is a yellow card away from a suspension but keeps his place in the lineup.