La Roja are still La Roja and crashing out at the group stage in Brazil 2014 and the disappointment of France 2016 were not at all cathartic in the end. At the age of 51, and without much experience as a coach at elite level, Julen Lopetegui has managed to conserve the essence of what made Spain so successful. The backbone of the team who qualified brilliantly for Russia 2018 are the same as those who failed in France a year and a half ago. Eight of the team who lost against Italy in Paris would start in Russia if the World Cup started now: David De Gea, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva and Álvaro Morata. In addition, the wonderful Isco has found his feet with the senior squad, as have several of the under-21s who won the Euros with Spain and Lopetegui in 2013.
The big question regards - as it has since David Villa's international exit - who will play up front? Alvaro Morata has top-scored for Spain during Lopetegui's time in charge with seven goals, but there's also Diego Costa, Aritz Aduriz, Iago Aspas and a host of others.
They head to Russia among the leading contenders and will hope to stamp an early mark when they meet Portugal in their opener on June 15.
Form guide
There were no problems for the Spanish in World Cup qualifying, as they sauntered through a group containing Italy, with nine wins and one draw - in Turin - in their 10 games. Lopetegui's men scored 36 times and conceded on just three occasions as they booked their spot in the finals; the last time they tasted defeat in a competitive fixture was against the Azzurri at Euro 2016. Thrashed Costa Rica and drew 3-3 with hosts Russia in November, giving up the lead three times against the host nation.Star player
Isco
Andres Iniesta is (arguably) the greatest player Spain has ever produced, and while the Barcelona star remains key, there can be no denying that he isn't the player he once was.
As such, the man to whom Spain will turn to make the cutting runs and passes which have been so key in recent year will be Isco, who will be 26 when the finals get under way and heading into his prime.
The playmaker has proven his value to Real Madrid in three Champions League finals and is now thriving at the Santiago Bernabeu; his devastating display against Italy last September - in which he scored twice - was perhaps the best individual performance from anyone not named Lionel Messi in Europe this season.
Rising star
Marco Asensio