Spain

Arsenal skipper Fabregas took a heavy fall on his shoulder during Saturday’s 1-0 quarter-final victory over Paraguay.

However, after undergoing an examination by Spain’s team doctor, the 23-year-old will be fit to take his place in the squad.

Fabregas has yet to start a match at the World Cup so far, despite the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi having not sparkled in South Africa thus far.

However, having come on for Fernando Torres on Saturday and helped changed the game Spain (8/5 to beat Germany) coach Vicente del Bosque is thought to be considering giving him his first start.

Torres has yet to score at the World Cup and has looked along way short of his best as he struggles to overcome the injuries which ruined his domestic season.

Despite the 26-year-old stating he feels he can improve, Del Bosque has admitted he is considering whether to stick with the Liverpool striker.

“He remains a reference for us,” Del Bosque said. “To be on a (scoreless) streak or not, he offers hard work and personality and he’ll be our striker.

“Saying that doesn’t mean he’s an untouchable starter, but we have full confidence in him.”

Should Del Bosque decide to drop Torres it could be Fabregas who comes in to take his place and the Arsenal midfielder admits he is ready should he be called upon.

“It’s painful but when you are up for it it’s fine,” Fabregas told Sport. “I am ready to get an injection in order to play.

“If (coach Vicente) Del Bosque needs me I’ll be there.”

Fabregas could join Puyol in the starting line-up, after the Barcelona defender overcame a problem with his vision.

Centre-back Puyol was hit in the face against Paraguay and suffered blurred vision. However, he has now recovered and should join Gerard Pique at the heart of Spain’s defence for the last-four encounter on Wednesday.

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David Villla’s fifth goal of the tournament secured a late 1-0 quarter-final win for Spain over Paraguay to book their place in the last four and set up a showdown with the Germans (Spain 15/8f to win the World Cup, Germany 2/1).

Del Bosque says his side will need to improve their level of performance if they are to win on Wednesday, as they again looked well short of their best against Paraguay.

“We didn’t play well mainly because we didn’t get enough of the ball,” he said afterwards.

“We weren’t as at ease in possession as in other games and it’s important to be comfortable.”

However, the coach is pleased his side are still in with a shout in a competition which has seen big guns France, Italy, England, Brazil and Argentina all crash out early.

“We’re in the last four in the world,” he added. “It’s a good moment for Spanish football.”

Spain rode their luck to make it into the last four as Oscar Cordoba missed a penalty for Paraguay in the second half only for Xabi Alonso to do the same for Del Bosque’s side – the Real Madrid midfielder’s spot-kick having to be retaken after the referee spotted encroachment into the penalty area the first time around.

Spain are hoping to emulate France’s achievement in 1998 and 2000 by becoming European and World champions at the same time but they will have to beat an impressive German side if they are to do it.

Key midfielder Andres Iniesta has been taken aback by Germany’s displays in South Africa and he is predicting a titanic clash in Durban.

“Quite apart from their results, the Germans are playing brilliantly, so they must be tremendously motivated,” the Barcelona star said.

“It will be a game between two rivals who enjoy having the ball and I think it will be a beautiful battle.”

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Spain

The Liverpool ace has struggled with groin and knee problems over recent months which hampered his progress with the Reds last term.

The former Atletico Madrid hitman has looked a poor imitation of himself at the World Cup so far, with strike partner David Villa taking centre stage with three goals including the opener against the Chileans (Villa 15/8 to win the Golden Boot).

But Torres, according to del Bosque, only came off as a precaution with a muscle strain.

The 59-year-old said: “He felt a spot of muscular bother, nothing to do with his knee injury.”

Spain now move on to the knockout stage where Portugal lie in wait, with a quarter-final against either Paraguay or Japan the reward for the winners (Portugal 22/1 World Cup Outright).

However, del Bosque, who saw his side get off to a losing start in South Africa against Switzerland, is refusing to get carried away as he looks to add the world title to Spain’s European Championship success of two years ago.

Del Bosque said: “There’s a lot of pressure in the World Cup.

“We know what people expect in Spain and we’re trying to give our all. Let’s see what we achieve.

“We have reacted to a very difficult situation and have done well.

“We know there are no easy games. We want to do well.”

Portugal sealed their passage into the last 16 with a draw against tournament favourites Brazil on Friday afternoon and defender Ricardo Carvalho is delighted to have progressed from the so-called ‘Group of Death’ ahead of Ivory Coast.

The Chelsea star said: “We knew it’d be a tight match, without many chances.

“It was a very tense match and that didn’t really surprise us, because Brazil and Portugal play in a very similar way and have a lot in common.

“We tried to attack them when we could but, at the end of the day, it?s a good result.”

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