Fabián Ruiz: ‘It’s not important who plays, it’s important that we support each other’ | Sid Lowe

On the eve of their last-32 date with Austria, Spain’s unassuming midfielder on team spirit and finding his rhythm after injury

At the Embassy Suites on Broad Street, downtown Chattanooga, the vans have pulled out for the last time. The day before departure, like every day, a small crowd of kids had climbed barriers and trees trying to get a glimpse of Spain’s players. A girl stood on a ladder and held a placard in each hand, raised above the fence. One said: “I’ve been here three weeks. I know you’ve seen me!” The other ran: “Please come out!” On Wednesday afternoon, Tennessee time, they did. They won’t be back.

Spain are leaving their base behind and heading to Los Angeles and, if all goes well, from there to Dallas. They do so with more doubts than there were before the World Cup started. Well, Fabián Ruiz says, maybe on the outside: inside, at the training ground where the last session has just finished before they fly west, it’s a little different.

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