Hosts Russia hope to sink Spanish armada

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History will count for nothing when Spain and Russia meet in the World Cup round of 16, La Roja coach Fernando Hierro said on Saturday.

Spain have never beaten a host at the World Cup or European Championship, but Hierro said he had not raised the subject with his players ahead of the match at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

"Records are there to be broken," Hierro told a news conference. "We have everything very clearly in mind. Why are we looking in the rearview mirror? Why are we looking at the past? It's all about tomorrow. Everything else is completely irrelevant."

Among Spain's most recent losses to hosts in major tournaments was a defeat to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup and a loss to Portugal at the 2004 European Championship. One of the pre-tournament favorites, Spain have yet to hit top gear in Russia. They drew 3-3 with Portugal in their opener and then overcame Iran 1-0 before a 2-2 draw with Morocco.

Spain's players warm up during a training session. /VCG Photo

The Roja's inconsistent start has coincided with turbulence off the pitch. Hierro was only named coach on the eve of the tournament, replacing Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked after it was revealed he had accepted an offer to join Real Madrid.

Hierro said his team would not be overawed by playing in front of around 80,000 mostly pro-Russia fans on Sunday.

"My lads are used to playing in big stadiums, where there's a lot of pressure, where you're away from home," he said. "Everything that will be achieved will be on the pitch."

Meanwhile, Russia came into the tournament derided by their own supporters after a string of defeats in warm-up matches but they thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in their opener and then swept aside Egypt 3-1, making even their own skeptical public believe.

A comprehensive defeat to Uruguay provided a reality check but Russia and striker Denis Cheryshev will be roared on by much of the crowd in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and they see no reason to fear Andres Iniesta, Isco and Diego Costa.

"I think that we can win against anybody, we can always win and that's what we need to believe, just think about victory," Cheryshev said.

(With input from agencies)