Chile just too hot

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 - and they were outplayed, losing the match 2-0.

For the tipsters and the hipsters there was the sobering reality that 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's title in its long, illustrious history.

It was the end of an era. Not for tiki-taki but for this group of players - the likes of Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso - and possibly for Del Bosque as well. The coach will struggle to recover from the humiliation delivered in such exhilarating style by this wonderful, vibrant, cocky Chile, a team no-one will want to face because of the embarrassment and damage they can inflict.

These demigods of Spain had feet of clay and they were exposed on the greatest stage of all and with football at its spiritual home. Their welcome was cruelly short-lived as the Chileans sent them packing amid a cacophony of relentless belief from their supporters.

The undeniable sense of trauma around this Spanish team, after their thrashing by Holland, was almost compounded in the opening minutes as Chile quickly opened them up.

It became a theme. Arturo Vidal was hustled off the ball but it ran to Eduardo Vargas. Only Xabi Alonso's quick intervention prevented an early concession but, from the corner, Vargas headed wide.

Spain were harried; hassled. They were also trying to settle into the rhythm of starting a fixture at a major tournament without Xavi in their line-up for the first time since 2008. That alone felt like the end of an era, although Spain will hope it is only the passing of a baton.

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 and win it well.

A freekick was flighted in and one of the three changes to Del Bosque's team, Pedro, rose. But Chile's goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo, pushed the ball away.

The rendition of the Chilean national anthem, again sung long after the music had stopped, was the most stirring of the World Cup so far and the blood was up on the pitch too.

Both sides pushed on, squeezing the pitch; there was quickly a scent of goals.

Chile were caught when David Silva stole possession from Gary Medel and, after Diego Costa dragged a shot across the penalty area, it was retrieved by Andres Iniesta.

Not that Chile were daunted - far, far from it. But it got worse for Alonso. He lost the ball and quickly Chile built their counter-attack - and scored. It was the team goal of the tournament, with wonderful combinations down the right as Alexis Sanchez squeezed a pass through to Charles Arnaguiz.

Spain were in trouble and the ball was superbly squared, with great awareness, to Vargas who steadied himself, rounded Casillas and fired into the net.

But Chile were so open in defence that, surely, Spain would continue to create. Instead Chile scored again. It got worse for Alonso, who was booked and will miss the final group game, and then he was punished once more, conceding a free-kick for a lazy trip.

Casillas insanely punched Sanchez's effort back into the area and there was Aranguiz to accept the gift and send the ball past the hapless goalkeeper.

Spain were ragged, distraught and in disarray. The world champions are out.

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