Enough to bring a tear to Putin's eye. A huge flag unfurled behind one of the goals. Russia will not want for unity here...

Image source, Reuters

Not many players singing the Spanish anthem. Roof about to come off...

Image source, EPA

Here they come. White Stripes, as ever. Loud enough to be heard by a cosmonaut. Ready for the anthems...

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC One

Spain are going to have to deal with set-pieces better than in previous matches. Free-kicks and corners will be delivered into the box. At 6ft 5in, Dzuyba will be ready to attack.

Players in the tunnel, both sporting rather smart red tracksuits. Flags unfurled on the pitch, cheers from the crowd. Proper atmos. Whoever has been selling mini Russian flags in Moscow today is planning Christmas in the Caribbean.

Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea and Spain midfielder on BBC One

It's a big surprise Iniesta is not playing because I think this is the second time in 15 years that he has been dropped. With Asensio, he has got the legs to get up and down, and he has a bit more variety.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live

Three seem to be two Spains in one at the moment, we don’t seem to clarify how we are going to play.

We have been organised to a fancy dress party, but the organiser has changed the theme.

We are still going to have fun but it does not feel like the party we came for.

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

I never liked playing against big strikers like Dzyuba because they are awkward. He is effective because if you can get the ball into him, then you can get runners beyond and play off him. Pique and Ramos, as good as they are, won't want to be defending crosses into the box against him.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live

There are problems with David de Gea's confidence. The Spain players are looking at him thinking, ‘what is going on?’ He has faced six shots on target and conceded five goals.

Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea and Spain midfielder on BBC One

Cheryshev did well at Real Madrid, especially coming off the bench because he has legs. I am surprised he is not playing because they will need legs today.

As a reminder, the winners of this tie will play the winners of the Croatia-Denmark game later today.

This, remember, is in England's half of the draw, but these sides can't meet Gareth Southgate's men until the semi-finals.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Luzhniki Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

The forecast for today in Moscow was thunderstorms and torrential rain... instead we have got more scorching sunshine.

Whether the warm weather will help or hinder the hosts is uncertain, but the home support here should definitely make a difference. Spain are one of the favourites, but the fact they are playing Russia on home territory makes this a far more difficult tie than it would be.

As you would expect, the Luzhniki is packed full of Russia fans, and they are already making a lot of noise. The chant of 'Russ-i-ya, Russ-i-ya" is echoing around the stadium and, although there is a pocket of Spain fans behind one of the goals, I think it is going to be hard for them to make themselves heard.

It's glorious in Moscow. 25 degrees, with the sun beaming through the glass roof of the Luzhniki. Spectators have been inside for a couple of hours and the stadium is full. I'm quite looking forward to the Russia national anthem. It will be like when Wales play at home in the Six Nations.

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Spain have been inconsistent. We have seen spells of them passing the ball around, but also where they give it away and not look like getting it back quickly.

They seem to find difficulties with counter-attacks and set-pieces in the box, they have not looked convincing, we have not seen much of that before, they have always had the ball.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC One

I understand why Stanislav Cherchesov has changed the system by playing five at the back today, because he knows they need protection around the big centre-back, Ignashevich, who is 39-years-old this year.

Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea and Spain midfielder on BBC One

I went to see the Spain squad at their hotel last night and they were all chilled with their family and friends. Everything looks good and they are nice and positive, so hopefully they can give us a performance.

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

The stadium is a great place to play football and Russia are going to have 80,000 supporters in there cheering them on. There main aim is playing on the counter-attack and getting the ball into the big man. I don't think they will, but they have the attributes to cause this Spain team some problems.

BBC One

Right then. BBC One. Live now.

Wonderful opening sequence, "the fairytale of Luzhniki".

Whoever made that deserves a pay rise.

Did you see yesterday's first episode of Barbershop Ballers yesterday?

Today, Radio 1Xtra presenter Nick Bright is joined by musician Wavey Boy Smith and Cheeky Sport’s Jermaine & Akeem.

Press the red button or go to iPlayer after the match on BBC One for an alternative view on the day’s action from the Barbershop with 1Xtra.

On the subject of World In Motion, my seven-year-old niece called me this morning, just so she could recite the John Barnes rap that she has learned off by heart.