Football: It's tiki tacky as Spain's reign ends in pain

Spanish players walk away in dejection after Chile's Charles Aranguiz scored his side's second goal. Photo / Manu Fernandez

Ignominious exit for last tournament’s champions after defeat by Chile is almost certain to mean the end of international careers for many of their star players

Spain, the world champions, the double European champions, the team of the decade, are out of the World Cup. The reign of Spain is over because they were plain. The masters of the tiki-taka close passing game were quite simply outplayed by a young, vibrant Chile.

Coach Vicente Del Bosque and his demoralised squad will return home next week after their final group game following possibly the most desultory defence of this magnificent competition in its long, illustrated history.

It was the end of an era. Not for tiki-taka but for the likes of Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, and possibly for Del Bosque as well, who will struggle to recover from the humiliation delivered in such exhilarating style by this wonderful Chile side who no one will want to face because of the damage they can inflict.

Del Bosque says the loss would bring "consequences", but said changes shouldn't be made in haste.

"We need to look at what's best for Spanish football, including myself."

The 63-year-old former Real Madrid coach is signed to guide Spain to the 2016 European Championship, where they will look to win the continental title for a third straight time.

These demigods of Spain had feet of clay and were exposed on the greatest stage of all and with football at its spiritual home. Their welcome was cruelly short-lived as the Chileans - with a back three of two midfielders relegated with Cardiff and Osasuna and a centre-back released by Nottingham Forest - sent them packing amid a cacophony of relentless belief from their supporters.

There was an undeniable sense of trauma around this Spain team after their thrashing by the Netherlands. Spain had run the gamut of emotions before kick-off until Holland finally saw off Australia so they knew that they needed to win this match well. But first of all win it.

That became more difficult when Eduardo Vargas rounded Spain's keeper and captain Iker Casillas and fired into the net after 20 minutes, scoring the team goal of the tournament to date. It became near on impossible when Casillas insanely punched Alexis Sanchez's weak free kick back into the area and there was Charles Aranguiz to accept the gift. Spain were in disarray.

They fashioned chances in the second half, most notably a near open goal that Sergio Busquets somehow missed.

There was to be no reprieve. The champions are out.