Spain captain Iker Casillas says his sides World Cup semi-final against Germany on Wednesday night is the most important match in the country’s footballing history. (Spain 8/5 to beat Germany)
The Spanish were seen as perennial underachievers until they won the European Championships in 2008 to alleviate some of the pressure on the national side.
But the Euro 2008 victory has been quickly forgotten and the Spanish population now expect their side to go and lift the ultimate goal in football at the World Cup.
Victory in the match against Germany would book Spain a place in their first World Cup final and make the likelihood of a second major trophy in two years even more of a possibility.
Howver, Casillas is not taking anything for granted and admits his side are aware of the pressure on them.
“People are not telling us how good we were at Euro 2008,” said the keeper.
“People are saying we have to win the World Cup. The people want the World Cup.
“We know that the Germany match is the most important in our history, even more than the Euro 2008 final in Austria.
“We did not come here to finish fourth. The European Championships is in the past and was a complete success, it was fantastic.
“Everyone was flying the (Spanish) flag from the rooftops but now, from what we are seeing, this is the most important match for Spain for a very long time.”
Spent went into the tournament as outright favourites for the title and despite an early hiccup against Switzerland, look right on course to fulfil their billing despite not yet hitting the heights they reached in qualification (Spain 15/8 to win the World Cup).
However Germany are the in-form side in the championship and have impressed with their free flowing football. The Germans destroyed Diego Maradona’s Argentina 4-0 in the quarters and look a danger every time they go forward.
Spain striker Fernando Torres has so far disappointed in the tournament after coming back from knee surgery.
However, Casillas believes this has further demonstrated the strength of the Spanish squad and the importance of the team rather than the individuals.
“This shows that a national team is not at all about only one player.
“A player can win you a tournament, like Argentina and (Diego) Maradona (in Mexico in 1986).
“But today, more and more, the team is what counts. A player can perform very well but at the end of the day everything is based around teamwork.”
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Leo Messi and Xavi turned in star performances on Saturday night to claim a 4-1 win against Villareal in what looked like being a tricky fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side.