Portugal accomplished an epic feat at the European Championships in France two years ago, but they are not favourites to win the World Cup in Russia.

Portugal have qualified for the World Cup six times in their history, finishing third in the 1966 World Cup under Eusebio in their first appearance.

Twenty years later, Portugal returned to the World Cup stage with a 1-0 win over a formidable England side in their opening game, but they failed to qualify for the knockout stages after losing to Poland and Morocco in the next two games.

The pinnacle of Portugal's golden generation came at Euro 2000, more than 10 years after they burst into the public eye, with a halo on their heads and nothing to do throughout the 90s.

Portugal missed three tournaments in a row in 1990, 1994 and 1998, with Euro 1996 being the best result in the quarter-finals.

After suffering defeat at the 2002 World Cup, Portugal used the opportunity to host the European Championship to complete a crucial stylistic transformation, and the strong rise of Cristiano Ronaldo has re-emerged Portugal's golden generation, and the Euro 2016 victory is the result of Portuguese football's accumulation.

Portugal were in the same group as Switzerland, Hungary, Latvia, Faroe Islands and Andorra in this World Cup qualifier and were not discouraged by their opening defeat to Switzerland, who won eight in a row and earned a clean sheet in the next match.

In the end, in the much-anticipated group stage finale, Portugal won with an own goal from Swiss centre-back Julu and a goal from Andre Silva to qualify directly.

Despite failing to shake Lewandowski's status as the top scorer in qualifying, Cristiano Ronaldo was excellent throughout the qualifying period, playing an active role as well as pushing the city forward, with rising star Andre Silva scoring nine goals in 10 games.

Cristiano Ronaldo was not only able to play in the corners of his attacking partner, but he also helped his team-mates in the back row to better control the game by dropping back frequently, and he created more relaxed space for the likes of Bernardo Silva and Joao Mario after attracting defences, and Portugal's overall performance in attack became more adept.

In addition to the 2014 World Cup due to injury failed to play at the level he should have, Ronaldo has shown good goal efficiency in all previous tournaments, and how to make Ronaldo comfortable is the core issue of Fernando Santos's tactical construction.

The most important change for Portugal during Fernando Santos' tenure was to abandon the 433 formation, which had been used in the front for many years, in favor of the diamond-shaped 442 as the preferred tactic.

Only 13 of the 23 players selected for this squad played in the European Championship two years ago, and the 23-man Portugal squad has goalkeepers: 1-Patricio (Sporting Portugal), 12-Anthony López (Lyon), 22-Beto (Gustipe)

Defenders: 2-Bruno Alves (Rangers), 21-Cedric (Southampton), 6-Fonte (Dalian Yifang), 19-Mario Rui (Napoli), 3-Pepe (Besiktas), 5-Guerrero (Dort), 15-Ricardo Pereira (Porto), 13-Ruben Dias (Benfica)

Midfielders: 23 - Adrian Silva (Leicester), 16 - Bruno Fernandes (Sporting de Portugal), 10 - Joao Mario (West Ham), 8 - Moutinho (Monaco), 4 - Manuel Fernandez (Lokomotiv Moscow), 14 - Willian Carvalho (Sporting)

Forwards: 9 Andre Silva (AC Milan), 11 Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), 18 Gesson Martins (Sporting), 17 Guedes (Valencia), 20 Quaresma (Besiktas)

As the absolute core and spiritual leader of Portugal's golden age, Ronaldo's every move is a butterfly effect in Portugal's tactical system.

Unlike the centre-forward style of play that he played with wingers Nani and Quaresma during the European Championships, Ronaldo was able to gain more tactical freedom next to centre-forward Andre Silva, and the shadow striker position allowed him to use his limited physical strength for more important shots and final passes.

The talents of the likes of Bernardo Silva and Guedes are evident, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo who determined Portugal's final result.

Compared to the opponent's strangulation tactics, Ronaldo's biggest challenge is his own fitness, and in this undercurrent group, Ronaldo must play 12 points from the first game.

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While Spain are not the favourites to win the World Cup, no one will ignore Spain's presence.

Relying on the world's top youth training policy for nearly 20 years, Spain's youth teams at all levels have rarely encountered opponents among their peers, and the blowout of talent has helped the matadors recover quickly after injury.

With a mature and stable tactical system, a deep squad configuration, and a desire to create another championship, Spain is looking forward to making a comeback in Russia.

Spain first competed in the World Cup in the Italian summer of 1934, when the favourites led by legendary goalkeeper Zamora were beaten in the quarter-final by the hosts' ace striker Meazza.

In the long years since, Spain's best result at the World Cup was fourth place in 1958.

Apart from holding a streak of entries since 1978, the Matadors have no other record on the highest stage.

The summer of 2010 in South Africa was a moment of Spain's turnaround, with Bosque's side becoming the eighth world champion in international football.

Four years later, the Matadors became the third defending champions to exit from their group, and their opening rout against the Netherlands was one of the darkest moments in the team's World Cup history.

Spain's 23-man squad: Goalkeepers: De Gea (Manchester United), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao), Reina (Napoli);

Defenders: Pique (Barcelona), Ramos (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Nacho (Real Madrid), Edriosola (Real Sociedad), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Carvajal (Real Madrid), Monreal (Arsenal);

Midfielders: Silva (Manchester City), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Asensio (Real Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Saul (Atletico Madrid), Thiago (Bayern Munich), Koke (Atletico Madrid);

Forwards: Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Aspas (Celta), Rodrygo (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid).

Despite being 33 years old, Iniesta is still one of the most important players in the Spanish midfield, and his distribution and forward passes in the 40-metre area of the front field are the inspiration for the matadors in attack.

Andres Iniesta is at the centre of the attacking system, constantly receiving support from his team-mates and showing his leadership in a multi-core landscape.

Costa missed the squad due to injury two years ago, Diego Costa's major tournament journey is full of gray memories, with good competitive form and full fitness, Diego Costa will have to make up for the regrets left by the previous two tournaments in the summer of Russia.

The first round of the group stage of the World Cup ushered in a heavyweight matchup between Portugal and Spain, which also attracted fans from all over the world.

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