Spain eyes longest winning run record

Agence France-Presse

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The record of 14 straight victories is jointly held by Brazil and France and the European champion has a great chance of not just matching it but going one better, with South Africa next up after Iraq.
Following the emphatic way they dispatched New Zealand 5-0 in their tournament opener Sunday, few would bet against Vicente del Bosque's men achieving the feat, as well as matching Brazil's world record unbeaten run. The Brazilians put together 35 matches without defeat between 1993 and 1996 and Spain is currently on 33, stretching back to November 2006 when it lost 1-0 in a friendly against Romania.

11 wins in 11 games

Veteran coach Del Bosque, who replaced Luis Aragones after Spain's EURO 2008 triumph, can already lay claim to his own small piece of history, having led the team to victory in all 11 matches since he took over, an unprecedented feat.

The former Real Madrid boss said coaching the current national side was a huge privilege.

"When you're involved with a national team at the highest level, you want to win every competition," he said about his philosophy. "I have enough experience to know that I have huge responsibility. But I also know that if you have the right players you can compete with anybody."

And the right players Del Bosque has, spearheaded by Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, whose quickfire hat-trick against New Zealand reinforced his international credentials.

In an ominous warning to Iraq, Torres said all the team was playing at the top of its game.

"I feel very much at ease in this team and one of the great advantages is that we have players who can hold the ball well," he said. "I score but I benefit from the work done behind me. We are all playing at a top level."

Despite their phenomenal unbeaten run, Torres said it would not be on their minds against Iraq."We have another game and we must start from scratch and be ready," he said.