Spain’s glittering era undone by Chile
Title holders become fourth team to get knocked out in the group stages.
Spain’s early departure has sent shockwaves after their success in the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. PHOTO: AFP
RIO DE JANEIRO:
Spain’s long reign as the kings of international football came to a dramatic end at the World Cup on Wednesday, with the defending champions sent crashing out after a 2-0 defeat to Chile, who qualified for the last 16.
On a day when King Juan Carlos tearfully sealed his abdication after a four-decade reign, Spain’s players were booted from their own throne in 90 minutes.
Chile’s Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz administered the killer blows as Spain’s trophy-laden era was brought to a shattering end at the Maracana Stadium.
“It is a sad day for all of us,” said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.
“We are sorry we didn’t succeed, but it’s too early to analyse where we go from here. We were inferior to both the Netherlands and Chile. They got the goals and gave us a mountain to climb.”
Spain’s early departure will send shockwaves through football after an unprecedented period of success that saw them win the 2010 World Cup as well as back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
“World failure,” read an online headline of the El Mundo newspaper in Spain.
“Failed!” echoed Spain’s biggest-selling sports daily Marca. “A sad farewell to the champions of the world.”
Spain join Italy (1950 and 2010), Brazil (1966) and France (2002) as the only holders to be knocked out in the first phase.
Del Bosque had signalled the turmoil in the Spain camp by dropping veteran midfielder Xavi and defender Gerard Pique for the Chile showdown.
But Del Bosque’s decision to retain out-of-form goalkeeper Iker Casillas backfired, with the Spanish skipper at fault for Chile’s second goal, lashed home by Aranguiz just before half-time.
Aranguiz had earlier helped to set up Chile’s first, cutting back for Vargas to finish after a superb counter-attack.
“I have not played well and neither has the team in general,” said a dejected Casillas. “Now we need to be even more united and finish in the most dignified manner possible.”
Sampaoli lauds red-hot Chile
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli lauded his side after they dumped Spain out of the World Cup to motor into the last 16 on the back of a deserved 2-0 triumph in Rio.
“I am proud of the way Chile put out world champions,” said Sampaoli. “It was a great win over great rivals.
“I don’t know if this is our best ever victory, as for me, the best victory is always the next one. But I think it’s unlikely I shall ever forget this win,” he told reporters as he savoured a success adding to an opening 3-1 win over Australia.
“We showed great courage with the way we played and so you can say we are the rebels of this event,” said the 54-year-old.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2014.
Spain’s long reign as the kings of international football came to a dramatic end at the World Cup on Wednesday, with the defending champions sent crashing out after a 2-0 defeat to Chile, who qualified for the last 16.
On a day when King Juan Carlos tearfully sealed his abdication after a four-decade reign, Spain’s players were booted from their own throne in 90 minutes.
Chile’s Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz administered the killer blows as Spain’s trophy-laden era was brought to a shattering end at the Maracana Stadium.
“It is a sad day for all of us,” said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.
“We are sorry we didn’t succeed, but it’s too early to analyse where we go from here. We were inferior to both the Netherlands and Chile. They got the goals and gave us a mountain to climb.”
Spain’s early departure will send shockwaves through football after an unprecedented period of success that saw them win the 2010 World Cup as well as back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
“World failure,” read an online headline of the El Mundo newspaper in Spain.
“Failed!” echoed Spain’s biggest-selling sports daily Marca. “A sad farewell to the champions of the world.”
Spain join Italy (1950 and 2010), Brazil (1966) and France (2002) as the only holders to be knocked out in the first phase.
Del Bosque had signalled the turmoil in the Spain camp by dropping veteran midfielder Xavi and defender Gerard Pique for the Chile showdown.
But Del Bosque’s decision to retain out-of-form goalkeeper Iker Casillas backfired, with the Spanish skipper at fault for Chile’s second goal, lashed home by Aranguiz just before half-time.
Aranguiz had earlier helped to set up Chile’s first, cutting back for Vargas to finish after a superb counter-attack.
“I have not played well and neither has the team in general,” said a dejected Casillas. “Now we need to be even more united and finish in the most dignified manner possible.”
Sampaoli lauds red-hot Chile
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli lauded his side after they dumped Spain out of the World Cup to motor into the last 16 on the back of a deserved 2-0 triumph in Rio.
“I am proud of the way Chile put out world champions,” said Sampaoli. “It was a great win over great rivals.
“I don’t know if this is our best ever victory, as for me, the best victory is always the next one. But I think it’s unlikely I shall ever forget this win,” he told reporters as he savoured a success adding to an opening 3-1 win over Australia.
“We showed great courage with the way we played and so you can say we are the rebels of this event,” said the 54-year-old.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2014.