Spain’s reign in World Football ends in Disappointment, but was Historic

Date: June 24, 2014

by Sean Saint Jacques

After being outscored 7-1 against the Netherlands and Chile in their first two World Cup games the Spanish National team was able to salvage a victory in their final game against the Australians.

David Villa, Spain's All-time leading scorer, in likely his final international game, tucked home his ninth career goal for his country in the World Cup. Fernando Torres and Juan Mata also added goals in the 3-0 win.

This ends the "Golden Age" of Spain football that has reigned over the sport for a six year span the likes of which the world has never seen before. American fans may know that Spain are the defending World Cup Champions, but likely do not realize that they are also still the two-time defending European Champions. Those two titles in 2008 and 2012 have bookended the World Cup title and are just as impressive since they played many of same teams in both tournaments.

Spain's teams were filled with legends like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Iker Casillas just to name a few. This team did have some of the most talented players of the last decade, but more importantly they had the best team. They had no selfish players on their rosters even though some teammates were rivals on the club level. When they came together to play for their country they were able to put those hard feelings aside a represent their nation with pride.

Their style of play consisted of constant possession of the ball and using the, "tiki taka," strategy, which is made up of short passes to teammates coupled with constant movement without the ball. It may not have been the flashiest or most dominating way of playing the sport, but it was the most effective and has changed the way soccer is played.

Former Netherlands star and current ESPN World Cup analyst Ruud van Nistelrooy said Spain's biggest contribution to the game was they ability to keep possession and the fact that they, "brought joy to the game."

It has taken all of this time for teams to decipher this style of play and in that time many of the players who won international titles also won many club titles with teams like FC Barcelona in Spain, for example. These include: the UEFA Champions League title in 2009 and 2011, the Copa del Ray title in 2009 and their La Liga league title in 2008-09 after they famously beat their rivals Real Madrid 6-2.

However, the end to their run as the kings of soccer ended in the most shocking of fashions. They were ranked number one according to FIFA, coming in to the 2014 World Cup, but the star studded team failed to reach the knockout stages as the defending champions. That has rarely happened to a World Cup champion in the history of the tournament.

The team is going to look much different when they attempt to defend their European titles in 2016 from the team that competed today in Brazil. Players like David Villa, Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, Iker Casillas and even coach Vincent Del Bosque may not be with the team because of factors like age and poor performance over the last couple of weeks.

Fans around the world, whether they are fans or just admirers, need to sit back and start to realize that this Spain team was one of the greatest of all time. The Brazilian teams of the 1970s are certainly in this conversation, but even that team led by Pele did not make a run like this Spain side.

Back-up goalkeeper Pepe Reina said of his team's place in history, "People have good memory and they remember what we've won."

As a generation of great footballers say goodbye to the international game, maybe not properly, but, they will never be forgotten.The greatest players, teams and coaches are never lost on the true fans of the beautiful game.

Posted in: WSOU, From the Stands, Sports