By Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport in Germany

Fabregas is part of Spain's exciting new generation of young talent

Spain have shown they have plenty of style to their play, but against France on Tuesday they will face a test as to whether they have enough substance to mount a serious World Cup challenge.

World football's great underachievers are desperate to shed their unwanted tag at this competition.

It is not the first time such hopes have been harboured and the Spanish camp must be fed up about being asked about their failures on the big stage.

But the question will continue to be posed until they improve on a record that has seen them fail to progress further than the quarter-finals in 11 World Cup attempts.

"It's true that we haven't really done well in previous World Cups but now it is completely different," said Spain's midfield playmaker Cesc Fabregas.

"There are only three players who were in the last World Cup so we feel ready."

I'm sure we have all the right conditions to win the World Cup Cesc Fabregas

A new generation brings new hope and the 19-year-old Fabregas encapsulates the youthful spirit that runs through the squad.

Strikers Fernando Torres, 22, and David Villa, 24, as well as 20-year-old defender Sergio Ramos, all started in Spain's opening two matches.

Fabregas believes the squad has the right blend of youth and experience.

Now the task is to maintain their impressive group-stage form in the knock-out rounds and show that Spain have the strength of character to match their play.

Fabregas will face Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry, as well as former Gunners colleague Patrick Vieira, when he pits his wits against France.

He is wary about over-confidence but believes Spain's performances have already proved a few of their doubters wrong and now wants that trend to continue.

WORLD CUP BLOG Torres scored a series of spectacular headers, while Xabi Alonso caught the eye with a continual array of pinpoint passes to all parts of a congested field Blogger Fletch watches the Spanish train More on our World Cup blog

"We are playing well at the moment," said Fabregas. "The confidence is very high in the team and country, and I think we just have to keep going with the same mentality.

"We will try to go as far as we can but it is very difficult as there are a lot of very big teams.

"We are a very young team and we are working very hard. Everyone wants to be in the first 11 so I think that is very important for the competition in the team.

"It is very difficult to get to the final but all I'm sure of is that we have a great team with a great country and great manager.

"I'm sure we have all the right conditions to win the World Cup."