Confident Spain Ready to Advance at Tunisia's Cost

While Spain have emerged as major contenders for the final stages, Tunisia's performance against Saudi Arabia has left many doubting the 2004 African champions' potential to survive into the second round.

Following Spain's 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine on Wednesday, Tunisia could only scrape a 2-2 draw with the 'Sons of the Desert' -- a performance which had the country's media bemoaning individual and team performances.

It took a late headed equalizer from Bolton defender Rahdi Jaidi to keep Tunisia's campaign alive, and the post-match feeling from the Saudis was that they had been robbed of two points.

Now, Roger Lemerre's side will bid to move up a gear but they are saddled with a major handicap.

While Spain are both technically and tactically superior to Tunisia, the Africans haven't won a World Cup game since their debut tournament in 1978.

And, the man most likely to score goals for them -- Brazilian-born striker Francileudo dos Santos - is still out due to a persistent shin injury. "He will definitely not play," Tunisia team doctor Hamed Kammoun said on Friday.

Dos Santos, who has scored 18 international goals since changing his nationality two years ago, has a "50-50" chance of taking part in Tunisia's final group match against Ukraine.

Lemerre will have at his disposal veteran skipper Riadh Bouazizi and his fellow midfielder Adel Chedli - both of whom he took off during the Saudi match because they were carrying yellow cards.

All or nothing for Tunisia against Spain

Those substitutions illustrate how crucial Lemerre believes the Spain match could be. A draw against Spain means hope of reaching the last 16 will remain. A defeat and it will be hanging by a thread.

Lemerre admitted there is really only one option against Spain. "We'll have to fight hard. We're now in a difficult situation but that's what a competition is about," said Lemerre, who became the first coach to win two continental titles when Tunisia claimed the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

That feat came four years after France had won the European Championships under Lemerre, however the Frenchman is also known for his spell in charge of France when they failed score a single goal on their first-round exit from the World Cup in 2002.

Spain should come into the match brimming with confidence after notching up their 23rd match unbeaten against Ukraine.

And it could give Aragones the chance to field some of the players who have so far failed to make it into his selective starting lineup.

Spain coach hoping to draw early first blood

Although the front trio of Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Luis Garcia (Liverpool) and David Villa (Valencia) are all fit to play, Aragones will be hoping for a quick lead in the game that would allow his substitutes a run-out.

Spanish icon Raul made a second-half appearance after they had taken a 3-0 lead against Ukraine, and Arsenal's teenaged midfield sensation Cesc Fabregas has also seen some second-half action.

The man who is keeping Fabregas out of the starting lineup, Barcelona's Xavi, said they will not be taking Tunisia for granted. "We hope to qualify as of Monday, although we will go into the match with respect for Tunisia," said the 26-year-old.

Unfortunately for Tunisia, Spain took the same approach in their opener against Ukraine.