One wouldn’t want to meet Antonio Conte in a dark alley on a dark night, writes John Leicester.

How much will Ireland’s historic victory affect the way Italy approach their showdown with Spain on Monday?

David de Gea has the full support of Spain coach Vicente del Bosque after allegations about the Manchester United goalkeeper's private life appeared in the Spanish press.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque tried to play down the scale of his side's 1-0 home defeat to Georgia.

Unlike their Premier League counterparts, Spain-based players usually have their feet up around this time. But a shortened La Liga winter break this year means everything is speeding up and in places hurtling out of control.

As the Spain national football squad arrived at the team hotel in Alicante ahead of Friday evening’s friendly against England, there were cheers for each of the players stepping off the bus.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and company returned to action over the weekend - mercifully ending an off-season remarkable for the infighting and incompetence of those running Spanish football.

Last Monday afternoon, Sergio Ramos was spotted getting into his gleaming white Mercedes AMG GT coupe on a Madrid street by reporters from local sports paper Marca.

Holland 2 Spain 0

Spain’s 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifier win at home to Ukraine did little to suggest the once all-conquering La Roja side have got over losing their unbeatable aura at last year’s World Cup.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has set the record straight with Spain team-mate Sergio Ramos, who questioned his commitment to the national team.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

International Friendly

PREMIER LEAGUE

“I’m nobody to stand in the way. I cannot stop him from going.”

Jose Mourinho thinks Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is to blame for Diego Costa’s recent injury troubles.

Chelsea captain John Terry claims he and Branislav Ivanovic were "double headlocked at every corner" during Sunday’s gripping 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

Champions League Group G

“You are not happy when you give players in good conditions and you receive the players in bad conditions.”

Spain were

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Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has named Diego Costa in his squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers while Gerard Pique returns and uncapped duo Rodrigo Moreno and Juan Bernat have also been called up.

Spain defender Sergio Ramos has called for more of the same after the defending champions started their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in style – but also urged fans to show patience with the new-look national team.

Spain 5 Macedonia 1

Spain’s bid to return to the peak of international football begins in La Roja’s first Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Macedonia tonight.

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has announced his retirement from international football.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has made Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno his eighth signing of the summer.

"A healthy dressing room is worth more than 100 hours of tactics," declared Vicente Del Bosque as he and his team prepared to jet off to Brazil to defend their title.

Real Madrid are set to sign Costa Rica’s World Cup hero Keylor Navas after paying the goalkeeper’s release clause, according to reports in Spain.

Four years ago in Soccer City, as the World Cup final between Spain and Holland ebbed towards a shoot-out, there was concern on the Spanish bench.

The three highest paid team managers at World Cup 2014 have headed home after the group stages, proving pay is no indicator of performance.

Spain arrived in Madrid on Tuesday and unlike four years ago, after a triumphant World Cup in South Africa, there were few fans waiting for them at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque will make a decision on his future in the next week but revealed when he substituted goalscorer David Villa in the 3-0 win over Australia, he was unaware it was his last international.

Any preconceived ideas we had before the World Cup have been cast aside in an amazing tournament

Spain must trust in their philosophy but trust their youth to enact it

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli hailed his “rebels” after the South Americans knocked reigning champions Spain out of the World Cup.

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque is set to wield the axe ahead of the do-or-die clash against Chile on Wednesday.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque could make wholesale changes for this evening’s make-or-break World Cup Group B game against Chile in Rio.

Fernando Torres has warned that Spain are prepared to win at all costs against Chile tonight (8pm) — even if it means abandoning their usual stylish football.

EVERY World Cups needs its Matches that Made History, though sometimes you struggle to find them. Less than a week in, and we already have two candidates: the Slaughter of Salvador and the Stumble in the Jungle.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes Gerard Deulofeu is ready for his return to the Barcelona first team, but admits he will miss having the exciting forward in his Toffees squad.