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There were punching bags that fought back more bravely; and babies who held on to their candy longer.
Even when Spain was a genuine global superpower and its conquistadores colonised most of South America, the Spaniards never managed to get Brazil under their thumb. So what chance did they have with a touring party who, whenever things got rough, pinned their hopes on Fernando Torres?
The bullish Chile outfit finished off the Spanish matadors today with a 2-0 win at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro to mark the first time that a World Cup holder has been eliminated after just two matches.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Martin Bernetti)
For context, even the “Soca Warriors” were still alive for their final group match in Germany 2006.
Spain had company in the departure lounge today as Australia bowed out 3-2 to the Netherlands and Cameroon fell 4-0 to Croatia.
It means the Netherlands team, paced by another goal each from lively frontmen Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie, is the first to qualify for the knockout stage where a clash with either Brazil, Mexico or Croatia awaits.
The “Aussies” pushed the Dutchmen all the way, though, as frontman and serial corner flag abuser Tim Cahill spanked home one of the goals of the tournament with a brilliant left footed volley.
Cameroon did not provide any such high point; but there was plenty misplaced aggression as midfielder Alex Song tried to clobber Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic for running across his path and left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto for trying to butt teammate Benjamin Moukandjo after the latter’s petulant response to a sharp word.
It was more fight than the entire Spanish team put up over 180 minutes.
Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ weak clearance in the 43rd minute, which barely cleared his six yard box and led to Chile’s second goal, was symptomatic of the defending champions’ passion. Even the “Brahmin Boy” would have delivered a stronger punch.
Coach Vicente Del Bosque had already dropped Xavi and Gerald Pique and, at halftime, withdrew Xabi Alonso. But it was like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. And when Sergio Busquets missed a gaping goal from four yards, it was clear that the defending champions had lost their nerve.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
Del Bosque responded by sending on Torres, which could arguably be interpreted as a customised resignation letter.
RIP, tiki taka talibans: gone and already forgotten.
Today’s 2014 World Cup summary
Group B
Netherlands 3 (Arjen Robben 20, Robin Van Persie 58, Mephis Depay 68), Australia 2 (Tim Cahill 21, Mile Jedinak 54 pen)
Chile 2 (Eduardo Vargas 19, Charles Aranguiz 43), Spain 0
Group A
Croatia 4 (Ivica Olic 11, Ivan Perisic 48, Mario Mandzukic 61, 73), Cameroon 0
*–Red Card: Alex Song (Cameroon)
Star of the Day
Australia striker Tim Cahill played his last World Cup game today; and what an exit! His stunning left foot volley cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar and will probably be replayed for years to come.
Villain of the Day
It is hard to choose between Spain captain Iker Casillas’ weak punch, midfielder Sergio Busquets appalling miss and Cameroon left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s bizarre attempt at team bonding.
Busquets gets the nod though. El rondo champion and master of the sure first touch couldn’t even get his foot on a simple cross and allowed Spain’s best chance to deflect off his shins.
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Thanks Prince, but I was more referring to the strategies these bigger teams use to @ big tournaments and other teams try to model it. Another team would have been Germany Las, look how they’ve evolved 86-90, 02, 06-14. What I’m asking is, could this Spain flop cause other teams to rethink their approach and go for something else. That’s why I said 8-12 years since it’ll take some time to change their current youth teams philosophy
Lasana Liburd I agree they have little adjustments and the teams are different. Spain tried to change a little. They brought in Costa for a more direct approach. Earl Mango Pierre ent going no where man! Brazil for life
Who is trying to sneak in the German camp eh but from day one I made it clear that my both teams are Brazil and Germany as always. Mr Live Wire really good yes. Hahahaha
Mango please do not jump ship! You leaving me on a limb by myself if you do that?
Look how Mango quietly trying to decamp and sneak into the German hauptbahnhof! Hahaha.
You watching him Amery Browne and Brian Manswell?!
I don’t know Prince. Some tweaks make a major difference. The Brazil of 70, 82, 90 and 94 were all very different teams.
Just like the Argentina teams of 86, 94, 98, 02 and 14 don’t have much in common.
Prince don’t count out my second greatest team Germany eh because if Brazil only stick eh we will surely be taking the cup back to Europe.
Kirwin Weston my Brazilians haven’t change much. Argentina hasn’t change much. The Dutch hasn’t change either. I don’t see the Spanish changing. There young teams play like the senior team. The quality of the players change. Spain will be fine. Spain played a Dutch team full of guys from Surinam and the played a Chile team that pretty much played at home. I can’t see a team from Europe winning this thing. The conditions are tough to play in if yuh not use to it
In my estimation every 8-12 years we see a new philosophy that works and everyone tries to imitate. Lasana Liburd you think Spain gonna divert from tiki taka, use fresh blood or carry on with business as usual ?
Beenhakker got a point when it mattered though.
Anyway, tough luck Spain. We got some fantastic football over the last six years. But the tiki taka era is over now.
On to the next one.
Lasana, they might get a point. They have one match left don’t they? lol
Defending champs to get eliminated before they managed a solitary point:
Spain 2014
You guys should have hired Beenhakker. 🙂
Hey Mark it looks like the defending Champs had an overload of weight so they lost a bit of steam (No pun intended) Lol
Defending World Cup champions that got knocked out in group stage:
France 2002
Italy 2010
Spain 2014
America has been losing the men’s World Cup since it was first held in 1930. The US women have won, though. Who knows when a US men’s team will win? It has taken nearly a hundred years just for the game to be this big In America. Just sayin’.
That Vargas goal was EPIC!!
Now watching the recap, I think the commentator takes the win yes!
and yuh think they stopped their madness eh, the next time is fire and brime stone for them yes, let them continue ent.
David no man like you never visited New Orleans or what eh, why do you think that meh father God had to put it on them some years ago with all that water eh, they was getting out of hand with that voodoo and witch doctor business yes.
hmmm!! America witch doctors is Money with ah Unlimited **treasury** !! but seriously Portugal aint gonna beat America!! they can’t !! if that happen!! FiFA sellin out~~~~big time~
The problem with America is that Klinsman left out their real goalscorer yes Mr. Donavan ent, because he was depending on Altidore and Demsey eh, and look what happened to Altidore eh, mash up his ham string, does America have anyone else who is a prolific goalscorer eh, I think Klinsman was afraid of Donavan putting it on his swett country Germany ent, he feel he bright. Klinsman really good yes.
Kirwin all dem African teams going back where they came from because dey ain’t ready as yet they need to stick with their African Nations Cup ent. Them really good yes.
Yuh feel America ain’t have witch doctors too, hahaha
Kirwin If America defeats Portugal on Sunday eh, yuh see the 3 rd annual Wired 866 football festival eh, I will do something very special eh. hahahha. and I dun talk.
Ghana might put it on Portugal too !
Mango, time will tell on that one but Portugal doesn’t look fit for the billing.
David I doh know nah I am smelling ah rat yes, ah find to much big teams just going back home just so, just so ent. I don’t really trust FIFA nah the next thing the America really win this World Cup yes.
Lol. Watch us go Mark!
lool!! America getting knock out in Knockout rounds!! sad to say!! same to brasil~~~~~~ sim simmer i have u on watch eh lol………cause usa getting knock out 2lol
And I will also be waiting very patiently when Mr. Live Wire has to write about Dr. Amery Browne and his team and I hope that he uses that same picture and it will say ‘Adios Argentinos’ hehehehehe. Them really good yes.
But A A and why did you leave out the America eh, Ms, Sim Simmer and her American team will be going where no man has ever gone before, in space….. after Portugal give them the whipping of their lives ent. hahahahaha
I doubt any true footballers gonna miss Spain. England and Portugal to follow ? I think so
Not much to explain. Spain simply followed Italy’s 2010 modus operandi: come in like great kings and exit like little kids.
At least Mourinho getting his players early…maybe he’ll ask for a discount or refund on Costa, hahaha ! Luis Enrique & Ancelotti probably happy too, more pres-season
Surely they’re forgotten already…Spain tika taka never thrilled me at all they just got results. I’m a purists in football, so bye bye Espana, hope Australia beat you all too, haha !
Chile Team World Cup 2014 – Miners Propaganda (En…: http://youtu.be/4ZHwdI3bh9Q
Problem started with squad choices. Too much reliance on the old guard who haven’t been at their best over the last 2 years.
Time to rebuild.
And still their team have yet to win a world cup this decade lol
lol.!! mark you have time to tell bandwaggonist about football lol!! ….when they blinded by …oh spain talk lol…….and on Torres!! lol the day he left liverpool it was his undoing!! as you can see…..no man cud be so blighted as he and still get pic in a worldcup squad
At this stage to be honest Torres should be paying we to watch him:)
And David Silva
Worse of all, stick with what you know seems to include Torres.
I just couldn’t believe he was serious with that one nah. At first I said that is shorthand for: “I have no ideas left.”
Lasana Liburd Ill tell ya lol. Tika-taka has been adapted. Spain like Barca do it and opponents know how to defend it. For 2 years I’ve been saying try different styles like counter attack, long ball etc but you stick to what you know at your peril
Lol
“Del Bosque responded by sending on Torres, which could arguably be interpreted as a customised resignation letter.”
You had me and Camille laughing at this Lasana. Freaking hilarious.
Lol. His teeth tho…
That Spanish team has as much bite as a bowl of porridge… I waiting for the Spanish fans to try and explain what happened! Lol
Lasana Liburd you wicked with that pic!! you rubbing 2much salt in them …………experts who say spain lost was ah hiccup lmao!!!!!! man say tiki taka!! talibans oui lol………………………great piece by the way!! lol
Tiki taka was getting sick for a while, look at Barcelona this past season. Now everyone has figured them out