Spain game vital for Portugal, says Manuel Fernandes

Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Manuel Fernandes today underlined the importance of Portugal's opening World Cup group game against Spain in an early heavyweight clash in Russia.

The European champions face 2010 World Cup winners Spain in their first Group B fixture in Sochi on June 15, the winner of which will be in pole position to finish top of a section that includes Morocco and Iran.

"It's a very important game for all of us, we're a strong team now and will be playing a very strong team too, one of the top contenders," Fernandes told reporters at Portugal's training base in Kratovo, southeast of Moscow.

"We shouldn't be underestimating the other two teams but Spain is one of the favourites. We also have respect for Iran and Morocco and will not take them lightly."
"Of course we came here to win all our matches in our group, we can't think about anything else," he added. "Our main goal is to go as far as we can."
"Of course he's a very important player for us. We don't depend on how much he scores but on what form he's in. It's very important to play as a team. We got to this stage by playing well together."