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World Cup 2018 power rankings

By James Dudko

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Spain’s midfielder Koke runs during a training session of Spain’s football national team at the Spanish Football Federation’s “Ciudad del Futbol” in Las Rozas, near Madrid on May 29, 2018. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP) (Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain’s midfielder Koke runs during a training session of Spain’s football national team at the Spanish Football Federation’s “Ciudad del Futbol” in Las Rozas, near Madrid on May 29, 2018. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP) (Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images) /

5. Spain

La Roja will keep and use the ball better than any team in Russia this summer. It can’t be any other way for a squad fit to burst with stylish midfielders.

Among them, Atletico Madrid’s Koke is one of the best. The 26-year-old is a natural No. 6, who rarely wastes a pass and is unerringly accurate from set pieces.

Koke won’t be alone in creating chances, not with David Silva, Andres Iniesta, Isco, Saul Niguez and Thiago Alcantara also involved. Coach Julen Lopetegui’s biggest headache will be coming up with ways to get all of his talented creators involved.

He’s got an enviable array of skilled attackers to choose from, including Real Madrid pair Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez. Lopetegui’s problem will be identifying a natural center-forward he can rely on.

Diego Costa found his form late in the season for Atletico Madrid, but disappointed for Spain four years ago. Iago Aspas and Rodrigo Moreno are both accomplished supporting forwards, but neither are at their best when asked to lead the line.

Misfiring strikers are the only thing able to deny La Roja another trophy.

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