So, with all that considered, why am I so bullish this team will set the record? Expected goals. That game against Costa Rica showed us Spain is a well-tuned team that plays in a way that will generate plenty of goal-scoring opportunities. Long gone are the days the attack lacked a cutting edge as Spain dominated possession but not the scoresheet. This Spain team is a well-oiled machine that can and will score goals for fun.
They play a German team next that is desperate to win, so there'll be goals in an open game. Then they play a Japan that likes to high-press and make teams uncomfortable, which bodes well for a Spain team wanting to dominate possession and exploit defensive lapses.
It'll take 21 more goals to beat the record, but if anyone can do it, it's this iteration of the Spanish national team.