adminThe Furia Roja had during those three years and two weeks also become the first side in international footballing history to win three straight major tournaments, adding the 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euros to their Euro 2008 success.
The Spanish media lauded a golden era as one which finally proved that Spain are not perennial losers.
But with next year’s world title defence a year away it is now back to the drawing board for Vicente del Bosque and company. Del Bosque admitted Brazil were far better on the day – Spain looked exhausted and out for the count once Fred bundled in a second-minute opener for the hosts before Neymar and Fred again completed a one-sided affair.
“They deserved it, and sometimes it is important to lose,” said Del Bosque.
“Of course we are not happy but we must analyse where we went wrong. Yet our record is cause for optimism . . . we have good players and a defined style of play.
“You don’t just change all that on the back of one defeat, deserved as it was,” the former Real Madrid handler calmly observed as he failed to become the first coach to win the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and Confederations titles – he is already alone in landing the first trio of crowns.
“Football is a sport and we knew our opponents were very strong and things went in their favour right from the outset.”
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos agreed that “it was one of those days when nothing goes for you. The first goal came very quickly. It was tough to go behind when we had come into the final with such high hopes,” said Ramos, whose missed penalty was only one of a myriad of incidents which proved it was a bad day at the office all round.
“We just have to praise our opponents for a great performance, and today we saw the other side of the footballing coin — that you can’t always turn it on.”
Fernando Torres said the loss was a mere “blip” and they will be back in Brazil next year confidently chasing a second straight World Cup triumph.
The Spanish had a miserable night at a festive Maracana on Sunday, as Sergio Ramos missed a second-half penalty and Gerard Pique was sent off with just over 20 minutes left for bringing down his new Barcelona teammate Neymar.
The defeat ended Spain’s record run of 29 unbeaten competitive matches going back to a 1-0 loss to Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup and Torres said it served as a useful reminder that “you can’t win all the time”.
“Everybody thinks that Spain should win every match and reach every final but it’s not as easy as that,” the Chelsea striker, who won the tournament’s Golden Shoe award, said on Fifa.com.
“This team doesn’t need a wake-up call, nor do we need a defeat to regain our motivation,” he added.
“If there is something positive to be taken from the match, it’s this: it’s confirmed something that we already knew, that it’s not going to be easy to beat Brazil on their own patch.
“That said, in one year’s time we’ll be back here as world champions to defend what’s ours.”
Sunday’s match in Rio de Janeiro turned in the 41st minute when Brazil centre back David Luiz slid in to conjure an incredible goal-line clearance and deny Pedro an equaliser.
Three minutes later, Neymar, voted player of the tournament, smashed a left-foot drive past Iker Casillas and when Fred netted his second of the night and Brazil’s third early in the second period, there was no way back for Spain.
“We must congratulate Brazil because they showed that they know how to play against Spain,” Ramos told reporters.
“We have won a lot of important titles and one day, the moment has to arrive when you don’t win,” the Real Madrid defender added.
“We aren’t machines. Our conscience is clear because we gave the best we had.”
Spain top European World Cup qualification Group I by a point from France after five matches and play their remaining three games away to Finland in September and at home to Belarus and Georgia in October.
Securing a place at next year’s finals should be a formality and Torres said the players were already looking forward to another crack at Brazil.
“Football is great for that, because you always get another chance,” he said.
“One year from now, hopefully we’ll be here and have a chance to make up for today, not necessarily to gain revenge on Brazil, but for our own sake. We’re world champions and two-time European champions and have achieved something that no other team has ever done: won three major tournaments in a row. Next year we’re coming over here to make it four.”
The usually dependable fulcrum of the Spanish side, Andres Iniesta, also had an off day as the Brazilians overran their rivals:
But the future Barcelona teammate of Neymar said: “That’s football, you just have to bounce back. They were better and gave us the run around. Next year we’ll be back and will hope to do things better.”
Despite his teammates’ sanguine comments, skipper Iker Casillas said he was down, with Spain having failed to land a title missing from their collection.
“The defeat hurts. We can only say well done Brazil and get back up off the canvas.” Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, sent off midway through the second half for a foul on Neymar, said afterwards there was one positive to take from his evening. — Reuters/Fifa.com.
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