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Spain vs Russia team news: Iniesta, Thiago & Carvajal out as Asensio, Koke & Nacho start for La Roja against hosts

Andres Iniesta, Thiago Alcantara and Dani Carvajal have been dropped to the bench for Spain's World Cup knock-out clash with Russia.

Marco Asensio, Koke and Nacho have been drafted into the starting XI in what is likely to be merely a technical decision.

Iniesta's exclusion comes as something of a shock, but the former Barcelona icon's form against Morocco wasn't that of his usual dominating self.

Nacho, meanwhile, replaces Real Madrid team-mate Carvajal at right-back, with the latter also having had a sub-par performance against the Atlas Lions.

For Russia's part, the hosts look to be setting up a 3-4-3 against La Furia Roja, which signals the first time they have deviated from their 4-2-3-1 since the start of the tournament.