Iberian Derby -- Spain vs Portugal

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Europe

When I started preparing this story about two football powerhouses that happen to be neighbors, Spain and Portugal, I thought it would just be about them having to face each other in their very first World Cup Group stage match this year on June 15.

Central Lisbon street /CGTN Photo

But just days before the game, Spain was shocked by two surprise announcements. First, that manager Julen Lopetegui would become the new manager of Real Madrid, the powerhouse club in the Spanish capital that just won its third consecutive Champions League trophy, a record.

Then, hours later, came the second bombshell, when the Spanish football federation -- upset that they were not notified in advance about the talks between Lopetegui and Real Madrid – abruptly fired him.

Juan Castro, Marca sportswriter, in Madrid /CGTN Photo

Lopetegui managed Spain for two years and the team didn’t lose a match, although there were some draws. The controversy has split Spanish fans among those who support the federation for taking the decisive action vs. those who support Lopetegui and Real Madrid.

The real question is whether the Spanish team, considered a contender for the trophy in this World Cup (Spain won it in 2010 in South Africa) can pull together and focus on the match against Portugal.

Customer and son in Spain official jersey store in Madrid /CGTN Photo

Which is not going to be easy in any case, given that Portugal is the reigning European champion and has Cristiano Ronaldo, the star forward of Real Madrid. Spain’s new manager is Fernando Hierro, the federation’s former sporting director and a former star player.

In the two capitals, we talked to journalists who cover football at leading publications, Marco Vaza at Publico in Lisbon, and Juan Castro at Marca in Madrid. They explained why these two teams are so competitive.

Marco Vaza, Publico sportswriter, in Lisbon /CGTN Photo

We visited the stores in both capitals where the official team jerseys are on sale and found fans who see the rivalry as nothing less than red hot.

Spain and Portugal are trying to advance out of their Group, which includes Iran and Morocco, to the knockout rounds. For each, winning the first match is a key part of the strategy. No matter who is their manager.