Pepe set for 'dream' debut at World Cup
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina will make a maiden appearance at the World Cup as reigning champions Spain say farewell with a match against Australia this evening.
An incredible 5-1 defeat by 2010 runners-up the Netherlands was followed by a stunning 2-0 loss when they faced Chile, leaving the holders out of the tournament within a week.
Coach Vicente Del Bosque plans to ring the changes for their final Group B encounter, meaning Reina is set for a first run-out on world football's greatest stage.
The 31-year-old boasts 32 international caps but has previously missed out on the World Cup due to the consistency of Real Madrid stopper Iker Casillas.
But on the eve of the meeting with the Socceroos, Del Bosque confirmed that Reina will 'definitely play' in Curitiba, an opportunity that the Spaniard described as a 'dream'.
"It is the dream of any player to play in a World Cup," the Reds 'keeper, who spent last season on loan with Serie A side Napoli, commented.
"I wish it could be in different circumstances but the only thing we can't change is that we can't qualify.
"I don't think we are going to change the opinion of the people a lot because we are already out, but we want to end the competition in the most dignified way possible."