Spain boss Fernando Hierro: "We need to believe in ourselves"

Fernando Hierro has told his Spain players to 'believe in themselves' as they prepare to end their disappointing major tournament record against host nations.

La Roja's reward for finishing top of Group B is a World Cup last-16 tie against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday afternoon.

Spain have failed to defeat a World Cup or European Championship home nation in eight attempts, but stand-in boss Hierro is determined to end that run after already coming through some tough times in Russia.

"We have a clear plan in mind. We know Russia's qualities but we have faith in our work and we have players that anyone of them can really make a difference," he told reporters at his pre-match presser.

"We have analysed them, we are doing everything we can. The team have trained extremely well, my players are fit physically and mentally. We have strengths and weaknesses like any team. We've had to face difficult situations, we were twice losing against Portugal and we managed to react.

"We had a similar situation against Morocco. Tomorrow we start a new tournament. Often the better team is the one that goes back home. We need to believe in ourselves.

"Records are there to be broken. Why are we looking in the mirror? Why look what happened eight, 12 years ago? Only what matters is what happens on Sunday. We know they'll have a lot of support but we also know the game is decided on the pitch."

Spain have scored 10 goals in their last three games against Russia, seven of which came during two matches at Euro 2008.