It only takes one moment of precision in darts to flip a heavyweight tie on its head — and that is exactly why a former world champion is sounding the alarm for England.
John Part has warned that Spain’s pairing of Cristo Reyes and Jose Justicia could cause serious problems for Luke Littler and Luke Humphries when the two nations meet in the second round of the World Cup of Darts. On paper, England look untouchable. In reality, Part believes the match is far from straightforward — and potentially far more dangerous than the rankings suggest.
The warning comes at a time when Littler and Humphries are once again being tipped as the team to beat, but Spain’s route into the second round has already shown enough firepower to make pundits think twice.
Spain booked their place in the last 16 after topping their group, setting up a high-profile clash with England’s top-ranked duo. Their qualification wasn’t routine either. It was powered by a strong surge in performance, highlighted by a dramatic 145 checkout on the bull from Cristo Reyes that helped seal their passage in a decisive group-stage battle.
That finish wasn’t just a highlight — it was a statement.
Reyes, returning to World Cup action after a long absence from the event, showed flashes of the form that once made him one of Spain’s most dangerous players on the circuit. Combined with Jose Justicia’s steady scoring, the pair managed to edge out Japan in a tense deciding match that showcased both resilience and composure under pressure.
It is that blend — unpredictability mixed with bursts of high scoring — that has caught the attention of John Part.
The three-time world champion believes Spain are being underestimated heading into the tie against England, especially given the unique format of the World Cup of Darts, where chemistry between partners can matter as much as raw ability.
On paper England are overwhelming favourites, Part suggested in his assessment of the draw, but Spain have players who can absolutely punish mistakes if they’re given chances. His core message is simple: ignore Spain at your own risk.
For England, the expectations could hardly be higher. Luke Humphries, the reigning world number one, continues to deliver consistent, high-level performances, while Luke Littler remains the sport’s most explosive young talent. Together, they form a pairing built on scoring power, fear factor, and finishing ability that can overwhelm most opponents before they settle into rhythm.
But the World Cup format introduces an unpredictable layer. Doubles play forces coordination, communication, and shared rhythm — areas where even the strongest individuals can stumble if timing is off.
That is where Spain come into the conversation.
Cristo Reyes, in particular, brings a history of producing unexpected performances on big stages. His career has been defined by moments of brilliance that often arrive when least expected, and his resurgence in this tournament suggests he is not simply making up the numbers. His bullseye finish against Japan to seal qualification underlined his ability to deliver under pressure.
Jose Justicia, meanwhile, offers a steadier counterbalance. While less flashy than Reyes, he provides consistency in scoring visits and allows Spain to remain competitive in legs where rhythm is crucial.
Together, they form a pairing that is not necessarily feared in the same way as England — but one that can quietly build pressure and turn matches scrappy if allowed to settle.
That is exactly what concerns analysts like John Part.
From England’s perspective, the expectation is clear: dominate early, impose scoring power, and avoid giving Spain any foothold in the match. Littler’s rapid scoring bursts and Humphries’ clinical finishing have dismantled opponents before they can settle, and anything less than a controlled performance would be viewed as an upset in waiting.
Yet darts history is filled with reminders that reputation does not guarantee safety. The World Cup has produced shock exits for top seeds before, often when partnerships fail to click or when underdogs catch fire at the right moment.
Spain’s confidence will also be boosted by the fact that they have already survived a high-pressure group-stage decider. That experience matters. It means they have already felt the tension of sudden-death scenarios, and more importantly, they have proven they can execute under it.
England, by contrast, enter the second round with expectation rather than pressure from survival. That psychological difference is subtle, but in a format where momentum can swing within a single leg, it becomes significant.
Part’s warning therefore is not based on hype — it is based on structure. Spain do not need to outperform England over a long match; they only need to stay close, create tension, and force mistakes at key moments. In a short-format doubles contest, that is often enough.
There is also a broader storyline developing around Reyes himself. Once regarded as one of Spain’s leading darts figures, his career has had peaks and gaps, but performances like his recent group-stage showing suggest he is still capable of influencing major matches when confidence returns.
If he can reproduce even a fraction of that level against England, Spain suddenly become far more dangerous than their ranking implies.
For England, the challenge is as much mental as it is technical. Littler’s fearless scoring and Humphries’ composure make them favourites in almost any scenario, but maintaining rhythm in doubles format — especially against opponents with nothing to lose — is never guaranteed.
And that is why Part’s comments have resonated across the darts community. It is not a prediction of an upset, but a reminder that in knockout darts, reputations can evaporate quickly.
Spain may not be expected to win. But as John Part has pointed out, they are more than capable of making England work for every single leg — and in a race to a handful of winning moments, that alone is enough to make this one of the most intriguing ties of the round.