Cesar Azpilicueta is convinced Spain have what it takes to contend for the World Cup title despite a shaky start and the dismissal of coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament.

The 2010 world champions qualified for the last 16 as winners of Group B ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, and face hosts Russia in Moscow today. Spain are unbeaten in 23 matches, but the Spanish federation's decision to sack Lopetegui after he accepted the Real Madrid job threatened to derail their campaign. "It's clear that it's an unusual circumstance that doesn't happen often, but that's what happened and you have to take things as they are," Chelsea defender Azpilicueta told AFP.