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IT was pain for 2010 champions Spain as they crashed out of the World Cup on penalties as hosts Russia secured a stunning victory in front of their fervent home support in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
After being written off by their own fans and pundits before the World Cup, with many saying Russia’s would be the most embarrassing performance by a host nation in World Cup history, the team pulled off undoubtedly the biggest shock of the 2018 tournament so far by progressing to the Quarter Finals.
After extra-time ended with the score locked at 1-1, Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev denied Koke and then Iago Aspas to spark scenes of delirious celebration.
Spain’s preparations for the tournament were rocked when they sacked boss Julen Lopetegui for failing to tell his federation about his post-World Cup move to Real Madrid.
Former Real Madrid player Fernando Hierro, 50, was promptly placed in charge and steered the team through the group stage before the loss to Russia, the lowest ranked team at the tournament.
“Like all Spaniards, we had high hopes and dreams and we are sad that we couldn’t do it for the millions of people who were following the game back home,” said Hierro.
“There is a lot of pain in the delegation, the players, the coaching staff, the workers. We had great hopes for this World Cup and it wasn’t to be. But I have no complaints against anybody.”
Spain, for all their possession and a World Cup record 1,006 completed passes, showed little penetrative threat, which allowed the organised Russian defence to repel constant pressure comfortably.
The collection of passes in slow motion, the lack of intensity at 1-0, the lack of creative solutions throughout the second half and extra-time all contributed. Not once did the team try Plan B and lump it up to the isolated Diego Costa or even utilise fast wingers to fire crosses in.
Once penalties come, it’s a lottery anyway, never mind with a baying crowd at your back. Spain simply wilted, and this surely will signal a rebuild of their team with many players close to retirement. Indeed, Andreas Iniesta has already announced it was his last game for the national side, and it is unlikely stalwarts Sergio Ramos or Gerard Pique will return.
Bahrain resident, fashion designer and GulfWeekly’s nominated Spain fan Ana Perez, pictured left, who had high hopes for her home nation before the tournament, was hugely disappointed.
She said: “This has been a terrible tournament for Spain, and I am disappointed to say the least. We rarely looked convincing in the group stage and we’ve gone out in the last 16 to a team much inferior on paper. I think we need to bring in some young players and start again.”
