FORTALEZA, Brazil (Sporting Alert) — Striker Fernando Torres and David Villa are both back on the substitutes’ bench for Spain for today’s FIFA Confederation Cup clash with Nigeria at Estadio Castelao.
Watch ESPN, ESPN3.com Nigeria v Spain Live Confederation Cup Stream
The forwards shared seven goals in the 10-0 hammering of Tahiti in the last group game, but Spain’s head coach Vicente Del Bosque opted to recall Roberto Soldado to lead his attack.
Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas all returned for Spain, with Victor Valdes getting the nod in goal, with Pepe Reina, who started in the last game back on the bench alongside Iker Casillas.
Valdes is the third keeper used by Del Bosque in the tournament.
Gerard Pique has come back to partner Sergio Ramos in the backline.
Juan Mata, Nacho Monreal, Santi Cazorla and David Silva, who all started against Tahiti are back on the bench.
Nigeria, meanwhile, made two changes from the side that was defeated 2-1 by Uruguay on Thursday.
The injured Nnamdi Oduamadi is replaced by Joseph Akpala, while in midfield, Sunday Mba comes into the starting XI for John Ogu.
According to the stats and bookies, Spain have been back a massive 97-percent to take all three points and seal the top spot in the group – thus, avoiding a semi-finals clash with Brazil.
Nigeria v Spain
Nigeria Teams: Enyeama, Oboabona, Echiejile, Ambrose, Omeruo, Mikel, Ogude, Mba, Musa, Ideye, Akpala
Subs: Ejide, Ogu, Egwueke, Mohammed, Kwambe, Ujah, Babatunde, Onazi, Eze, Oduamadi, Benjamin, Agbim
Spain Teams: Valdes, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Fabregas, Soldado
Subs: Casillas, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Azpilicueta, Villa, Torres, Mata, Monreal, Cazorla, Silva, Jesus Navas, Reina
Referee: Joel Aguilar (Slovakia)
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