Former Spain defender Fernando Hierro believes a change in mentality has been the main reason behind his country's sudden improvement at major championships.

La Roja are in the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time, while they were also crowned European champions in 2008 for the first time since 1964.

And Hierro said: "What has changed is the mentality. After 44 years, Spain are now the European champions. This is showing now in this tournament with the team reaching the semi-final. The team now has momentum, but what the win in 2008 has done is give the team more confidence and they have matured as well."