2-0 loss to Chile sends defending champions out of World Cup
With its superstars aging and loyal coach slow to blend in young talent, Spain’s glorious reign as the superpower of world football was bound to end. The Spanish weren’t favoured to repeat as World Cup champions. But few expected the utter collapse that ended on Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to Chile, knocking Spain from contention and ending the run of the greatest team of this century. Chile’s pace and skill produced a dominating win similar to so many Spanish victories over the past six years. Spain was outplayed, out-run and out-fought.
The 5-1 beating by The Netherlands last Friday was shocking and foretold where coach Del Bosque’s team was heading: Home. “We have no excuses. Sad day for us,” he said. Del Bosque acknowledged that his players were “too slow and timid .” Chile twice came close to scoring in the first 90 seconds, and led in the 20th minute when Eduardo Vargas finished a slick move of incisive passing that was truly Spanish in its execution. The second followed in the 43th when Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas punched a free kick to the feet of Charles Aranguiz, who fired a rising shot right back past the veteran captain, who took much of the blame for the loss to Holland. “I only ask for forgiveness, we did everything we could,” said Casillas.
Spain came to Brazil with a very similar but older team to the 2010 squad. They added Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa who failed to score. The tiki-taka style of play had not been working as well. Brazil defeated Spain 3-0 in the Confederations Cup final, a warm-up for the World Cup.
Spain plays a consolation game on Monday against Australia. Xabi Alonso is not likely to start against Australia. He was replaced by Koke after an agonizing first half. Alonso gave away the ball to Alexis Sanchez to start the move down Chile’s right wing by Arturo Vidal and Aranguiz, leading to Vargas’ score. Trailing behind the play, Alonso put his hands to his head. He was booked before conceding another foul, forcing a free-kick that led to the second goal. And his usual accurate passing was off. Other Spanish players were also guilty of wayward passing.
Perhaps the Euro 2012 final was the high point of the era: A 4-0 dismantling of Italy on a similarly balmy evening in Kiev, Ukraine.
Then, the team was joined in locker-room celebrations by Crown Prince Felipe. He could not be in Rio de Janeiro. One hour after the match ended in the Maracana, at midnight in Madrid, he formally became king upon the abdication of his father Juan Carlos.
On Thursday, Spain will wake up to a new king, but no longer rulers of world football.