While Russia marches on, Spain’s turbulent campaign ends in tears.
A World Cup that had begun with La Roja sacking their manager Julen Lopetegui two days before the start of the tournament, finished with a disjointed display that meant defeat was no more than the 2010 winners deserved.
While Fernando Hierro’s side broke World Cup records for the most completed passes – 1,006 – since records began, they seldom looked like turning that dominance into chances, let alone goals.
After Ignashevich put through his own net, Spain did not muster their own effort at goal until the stroke of half-time and, as BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand put it, they played sideways far too often.
Even the introduction from the bench of veteran midfield maestro Iniesta, integral to so many of their triumphs of the past decade, could not inspire a late winner.
Spain simply ran out of ideas, joining Germany and Argentina as other giants to make ignominious early exits, and leaving England, Colombia, Sweden and Switzerland as other potential benefactors in what appears a wide open half of the draw.