Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

Fernando Hierro is a calm individual and he has to make it a positive for the players. I can't believe the ignorance of Real Madrid to announce it on the eve of the World Cup and appearing to be above the national team.

Image source, Getty Images

Spain World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas on BBC One: "It has been a strange couple of days, we don't really know 100% the details but Julen signed a new contract recently and then he signed for Real Madrid. From a players' point of view, maybe it's not ideal because you want stability and less problems in your head, but I believe in the ability of the players."

On the subject of Julen Lopetegui, why did Real Madrid have to announce his appointment in the week that the World Cup began? Surely they could have waited?

Image source, Reuters

Put your names on text messages, please.

The BBC One coverage is under way, live from Red Square.

We've had another chance to hear the wonderful poem by Mike Garry. Not seen this video yet? Do yourself a favour...

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Both teams will be going out to avoid defeat but I think Spain will dominate. They will have control, but they will have to watch out for Portugal's counter-attack and their threat at set pieces.

Patrick Jennings
BBC Sport in Russia

This is gonna be lively .The ground isn't anywhere near full yet but the cheers sound just huge - and that's only for Pepe Reina coming out to warm up David de Gea.

Now here come the Portuguese and they get a brilliant reception too. Hard to know who's got the better backing.

Ah, OK, it's Spain. The rest of De Gea's team-mates come out to the wildest roar of the night. So far.

Image source, Getty Images

Philip Reilly: And in a wonderful turn of events at approximately 35,000 feet somewhere close to Winnipeg, enroute to Vancouver, the internet connection is strong enough for me to watch the Portugal v Spain game!

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

For European champions Portugal, confidence in the national team couldn't be higher.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa told the players on a visit to their training ground: “Be what you are, because if you are what you are, you’re already the best of the best.”

News website Mais Futebol, external were quoted as saying “Portugal enters a new phase of its existence. For the first time in many years, we are not the country that ‘could’ve been’: we are the country that already is."

And a survey by Portugese newspaper Correio da Manha, external found over 90% of people who responded were certain Ronaldo & co would get past the group stage.

Image source, Reuters

So, what in the name of Mike has been going on with Spain?

The short story is that manager Julen Lopetegui accepted an offer to become Real Madrid's new boss, a move so out of the blue the the president of the Spanish FA only found out five minutes before the rest of the world did.

Lopetegui got his marching orders and was replaced with Fernando Hierro.

There's much, much more to it than that, though.

Patrick Jennings' excellent piece explains it all.

Image source, EPA

My last-minute sporting hitch? Trying to get to Australia to watch the 2010-11 Ashes. Snow closed Heathrow airport and we were stuck in London for two days.

And, while following the game in a reality that is virtual or otherwise, you may feel moved to get involved.

You can text 81111 or tweet using the hashtag #bbcworldcup., external

In the spirit of Spain changing their manager on the eve of the tournament, tell me about your last-minute sporting hitches. Have you ever turned up to a game with the wrong ticket? Missed your flight and had to hitch a lift? Have you ever gone to the wrong venue, or on the wrong day?

Let me know...

You can watch this one live on BBC One and at the top of the page from 18:20 BST, as well as listening to full commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.

Also, if you're feeling technologically savvy, you can experience the game in virtual reality. If you download the BBC Sport VR - FIFA World Cup 2018 app, you can access the immersive environment using your smartphone, tablet or VR headset.

I had a go earlier during the Uruguay-Egypt game. It was excellent, if a little discombobulating.

Image source, Getty Images

Morocco had not time for a response and Iran have won it 1-0. The Iranians play Spain in Kazan on Wednesday, with Portugal meeting Morocco in Moscow earlier the same day.

Anyway, back to this evening...

Hello, are late goals going to be a thing in this World Cup? First Uruguay, now Iran, who have pinched one in the 95th minute against Morocco. It's an own goal, in fact, substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz heading in one of the all-time great WC own goals.

These two, remember, are the other two teams in Group B.

Nacho is picked at right-back for Spain as his Real Madrid club-mate Dani Carvajal continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions League final. Sergio Busquets has recovered from a stomach bug and starts in midfield. Gerard Pique wins his 99th cap.

Spain XI: De Gea; Nacho, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Koke; D. Silva, Isco, Iniesta; Costa.

Image source, BBC Sport

Goncalo Guedes gets the call over AC Milan’s Andre Silva to partner Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s attack. Jose Fonte, who has had a torrid time since moving to China from West Ham in February, will play alongside Pepe in central defence – having got the vote ahead of Rangers’ Bruno Alves.

Portugal XI: Rui Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Moutinho, Carvalho, Fernandes; Guedes, Ronaldo.

Full team news will come soon, but I can tell you that new Spain boss Fernando Hierro hasn't gone off piste, mainly because he's barely had time to get his slippers under the desk. Diego Costa starts up front for the 2010 champions, with David Silva and Andres Iniesta tucked in behind.

As expected, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line for Portugal, the European champions. A clash between him and Sergio Ramos might be tasty.

Gary Flintoff
BBC Radio 5 live producer

Image source, BBC Sport

The Spain fans are starting to arrive ahead of their opener against Portugal. Some tell me they believe Real Madrid is bigger than the national side after Julen Lopetegui’s appointment. Others say Spain must come first. One jokes about Sergio Ramos remembering that Cristiano Ronaldo is still needed by Real Madrid so he should not go in too hard!

Patrick Jennings
BBC Sport in Russia

Image source, BBC Sport

It's a lovely atmosphere walking into the ground through the Olympic Park here in Sochi. Stilt walkers playing football, a military band not really dressed for the weather and the crews of volunteers whose sole purpose is to high five people. They're a bit like the 'Meeseeks', external in Rick and Morty. Here they have upped their game by installing lifeguard stands to shout from through loud speakers.

There are fans from absolutely everywhere; Brazil, China, Peru and Spain and Portugal of course. There's even a Jack Wilshere fan, too.

Image source, BBC Sport