Spain s FIFA Confederations Cup group campaign begins with what looks to be its hardest test, as they take on Uruguay in Recife on Sunday.
Preparing to embark on just their second ever run in the FIFA World Cup warm-up tournament, Vicente Del Bosque s men are primed to better their third-place finish in 2009.
And Uruguay need to make history if they are to get all three points, as they have never beaten the reigning world and European champions in their six previous meetings.
The only relevant head-to-head clash is their friendly match in February, when Pedro s brace helped Spain to a comfortable 3-1 win in Doha.
Spain have not lost for 22 games, with their last competitive defeat coming to the United States in the 2009 Confederations Cup semi-final.
The two countries also have contrasting predicaments in their respective qualifying campaigns for next year s World Cup.
Spain top their group in the UEFA section and are poised to sew up either an automatic spot at Brazil 2014 or, at worst, a play-off place.
Uruguay, meanwhile, are a distinct way off the direct qualification places in the CONMEBOL pool, and are also under pressure to hold on to the play-off spot that is theirs as it stands.
Back-to-back wins, and clean sheets, for Oscar Tabarez s men in their past two will give them some confidence.
A 1-0 friendly win over France was followed by a 1-0 qualifying victory against Venezuela, with star forwards Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani getting some goalscoring form on the international stage.
Suarez (eight goals) and Cavani (three) are Uruguay s most prolific scorers in their qualifying campaign, and will need to fire if they are to counteract the star-studded Spanish side.
Liverpool striker Suarez did not start against France, but is sure to be leading the XI against Spain.
For Spain, Xabi Alonso will miss out due to injury with Javi Martinez or Santi Cazorla among the potential replacements for the Real Madrid man in midfield.
