“Finally!” screamed the headline on the cover of Monday’s AS following Spain’s 4-0 European championship qualifier victory against Luxembourg.
The headline was accompanied by a picture of Chelsea's Brazil-born striker Diego Costa being congratulated by teammates.
Costa has been one of the best strikers in the world in the past 18 months. He has scored seven goals in nine games for Chelsea, but he has been unable to find the net for his adopted country in six internationals since he chose to play for Spain over Brazil.
That decision caused controversy and led to him being booed in his homeland during the World Cup finals – more so because he had twice played for Brazil and they were short of a striker of his quality.
Holders Spain exited in disharmony, with coach Vicente del Bosque saying how he would introduce new players to bring the hunger back ahead of their 2016 European championship qualification.
Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, David Villa and Alvaro Arbeloa all retired, and new players were duly introduced, all of them with outstanding pedigrees.
Yet Spain, the European champions who had not lost a qualifying match since a September 2006 defeat to Northern Ireland, were humbled 2-1 by Slovakia on Thursday night. That brought a 36-game undefeated run to an end, of which Spain had won 33.
Goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who was at fault in Brazil, was again culpable for his country. Del Bosque said the Slovakia defeat was “absolutely unexpected”.
Spain have lost their mojo.
It was evident in Brazil, as it was after the Slovakia defeat, which meant four losses in six games. The Netherlands, Chile, France and Slovakia have all defeated them.
Spain’s era as the planet’s finest is over, the heavily used Spanish term “end of the cycle” is being used even more and the international future of other stars, who have won everything, is over or in doubt.
Cesc Fabregas was left on the bench against Luxembourg while Casillas, 33 and with 158 caps, was replaced by debutant David de Gea. It would probably have happened regardless of the result in Slovakia, but Real Madrid’s goalkeeper is under sustained pressure from those who once loved him.
De Gea was seldom tested against a side ranked 127th in the world and 48th in Europe, but he is expected to become his country’s goalkeeper for the next decade, just as Casillas was.
But what will that decade bring?
After six years ranked first or second in the world, Spain have slipped to eighth.
They are second in their qualification group, joint on points with Ukraine and behind Slovakia.
A win against Luxembourg brought a little relief, but expectations have receded.
It would be a major surprise if they did not reach France 2016 and defend the crown they won in such an impressive manner in 2012, but rivals need no longer fear Del Bosque’s side as they once did.
So what has gone wrong?
Spain still dominate possession but struggle to score up front against the better teams. While Del Bosque refuses to criticise his players, it is clear that Costa has yet to settle for his adopted national side.
Or his adopted national side have failed to adapt to their new striker.
There are many reasons for optimism, though.
Barcelona’s Marc Batra, 23, was alongside teammate Gerard Pique against Luxembourg, midfielder Koke is 22, Dani Carvajal 22, Paco Alcacer 21 and De Gea 23. Substitute Rodrigo is 23 and, while he may look older, Costa only turned 26 last week. This younger generation of Spanish players, plus the injured Thiago Alcantara, 23, and Ander Herrera, who would have been called up had he not been injured, were good enough to be crowned European champions at under 21 level.
They must now match their achievements at senior level.
It will take time, but they have it: the championships are not for another two years.
That is, if Spain qualify.
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