After the debacle of 2014, when 2010 champions Spain were knocked out from the group stage of the World Cup, the 2018 edition was an opportunity for Spain to reestablish themselves as the world elite.
The Spanish squad which boasted winners at club and international level was expected to go deep in the tournament but the Sunday’s defeat to Russia in the last 16 has set the European nation back a decade and brought an end to a glorious generation.
Despite making an astounding 1,107 total passes, Spain could not break the 1-1 deadlock and their fate was sealed when Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev booted away Iago Aspas’ spotkick to cap a 4-3 shootout win for the hosts.
Perennial underachievers on the international stage, Spain rid themselves of that tag during a glorious cycle between 2008 and 2012 when they won back-to-back European Championships and a first World Cup. But to the national media, this latest fiasco was all too familiar. “Spain step back 10 years” said newspaper El Pais, while Marca declared, Spain return to the past.
Where Spain go from here is far from clear. They are without a coach and are soon set to be without many of the players that have been part of the furniture for so long. Andres Iniesta confirmed his international retirement immediately after the game and Gerard Pique is set to join him. Sergio Ramos and David Silva will be 34 by Euro 2020.
“The end of a generation,” said the cover of newspaper AS. The decision to dispense with long-time coach Julen Lopetegui days before the World Cup after he failed to tell the federation about his move to Real Madrid after the tournament was inevitably brought up.