Otherwise, there had been nothing but disappointment and early exits from big tournaments. Two years ago, the Spaniards were dynamic in the opening round in Germany, then fizzled against France.

• 除此之外，西班牙在重大比赛中留下的都是失望和提前打道回府的遗憾。两年前在德国世界杯上，西班牙队一开始势头强盛，但却在八分之一决赛中惨败给法国队。