Spain’s World Cup journey: A rollercoaster ride of triumphs and setbacks
From the highs of winning the World Cup in 2010 to the lows of failing to make it out of the group stage in 2014, Spain’s journey in the World Cup has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.
Triumph in 2010
In 2010, Spain achieved the ultimate glory in football by winning the World Cup for the first time in their history. Led by coach Vicente del Bosque and stars like Xavi, Iniesta, and Casillas, La Roja played a mesmerizing brand of possession-based football that saw them conquer the world in South Africa.
Setback in 2014
Fast forward to 2014, and Spain’s fortunes took a turn for the worse. The defending champions were humiliated in Brazil as they crashed out of the tournament in the group stage after losing to the Netherlands and Chile. It was a stunning fall from grace for a team that had been so dominant just four years earlier.
Redemption in 2018
Determined to make amends for their disappointing showing in 2014, Spain came into the 2018 World Cup in Russia with renewed vigor. Under the guidance of coach Julen Lopetegui, they breezed through the group stage and looked poised for another deep run in the tournament.
Heartbreak in the knockout stages
However, their journey came to an abrupt end in the round of 16 as they were knocked out by the host nation, Russia, in a penalty shootout. It was a bitter pill to swallow for a team that had high hopes of lifting the trophy once again.
Looking ahead
As Spain looks ahead to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they will be hoping to put the disappointments of recent tournaments behind them and make a strong push for another title. With a talented squad at their disposal, including players like Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, and Alvaro Morata, they have the potential to once again be a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
In conclusion, Spain’s World Cup journey has been a rollercoaster ride of triumphs and setbacks. While they have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, one thing is for certain – they will always be contenders for football’s biggest prize.