Lopetegui: Spain sacks coach after two games

Spain has sacked coach Julen Lopetegui just two days before their opening World Cup game against Portugal.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced the decision on Wednesday, just hours after Lopetegui was unveiled as Real Madrid's new coach.

Lopetegui's departure comes as a major shock, as he has been in charge of Spain since 2016 and led them to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

The RFEF said in a statement that it had "decided to terminate the contract of national coach Julen Lopetegui, who will be replaced by Fernando Hierro."

The statement added that the decision was made "due to the events that have occurred in the last few hours, which have generated a situation that makes the federation consider that there is a lack of the necessary trust to carry out the project in the World Cup."

Lopetegui's sacking is a major blow to Spain's World Cup hopes. They are one of the favorites to win the tournament, but they will now have to do so without their coach.

Hierro, who is a former Real Madrid and Spain defender, has been appointed as Lopetegui's replacement. He has no previous experience as a head coach, but he is a highly respected figure in Spanish football.

Spain will now begin their World Cup campaign against Portugal on Friday. They will also face Iran and Morocco in Group B.