It is astonishing to walk through the same tunnel that the Spanish and French teams will take tomorrow Tuesday, and to feel that overwhelming sensation in the stands of the Dallas stadium, which seats 80,000 spectators, one of the largest stadiums of the tournament. From the huge dressing rooms, reminiscent of the Dallas Cowboys American football team, to the wide benches at field level, adorned with the Spanish flag, everything in this stadium is state-of-the-art.

The grass, its maintenance, and the treatment it receives to ensure its optimal quality and compliance with FIFA standards are key factors. Ian Craig, responsible for the pitch according to Spanish newspaper AS, says: 'The grass is in good condition. We have had eight days of rest since our last match here. This will be our ninth match, and it is so far the most important match of the World Cup.'

He continued: 'We gave the grass a short rest period and a chance to recover. The next step is to strengthen it and bring it to the same height and condition. As will be the case throughout the tournament, its height will be 23 millimeters, which complies with European regulations.'