Last update 5 March, 2025 by Alberto Llopis
The history of the Spanish soccer team has been marked by times of glory, like the conquest of the World Cup 2010 and the Eurcopes of 1964, 2008, 2012 y 2024. But also for less fortunate episodes. Next, Some of the greatest failures in the trajectory of “The red”
The greatest failure in the history of the Spanish team
Sweden World Cup 1958: Spain outside the big date
One of the biggest blows of Spanish football arrived in 1958, When the selection failed to qualify for the World Cup in Sweden. The absence in the tournament was a hard setback for a combined that aspired to rub shoulders with the great powers of the moment since it had nationalized players like Kubala, Di Stéfano and others such as Luis Suárez y Gento
World Chile 1962: Goodbye in the group stage
With high expectations, Spain arrived at the World Cup event with a competitive team, But he failed to live. Defeats against Czechoslovakia and Brazil condemned the red to an early elimination in the group stage, frustrating the aspirations of a team that had worked intensely for the tournament.
Italian Eurocup 1980: A disappointing return
Spain returned to a final phase of the Eurocup after years of absence, But his performance left much to be desired. A draw against Italy and defeats against Belgium and England left her out of the competition without getting a single victory, signing an action for oblivion.
world of 1998: Group phase elimination
Spain arrived at the World Cup in France 1998 With high expectations, as one of the favorites to be at least in the 4 First tournament, But his performance was disappointing.
After an initial defeat against Nigeria (3-2), With a very serious mistake of Andoni Zubizarreta and a goalless draw against Paraguay, The victory for 6-1 against Bulgaria it was not enough to advance to the next phase, being eliminated in the group stage and leaving the feeling of disappointment between the public. It was the beginning of the end of the era of Javi Clemente in the selection.
Euro Cup 2004: Group phase elimination
In the Eurocup of Portugal 2004, Spain shared a group with Greece, Russia and Portugal. Despite an initial victory against Russia, A draw against Greece (to the dessert champion of the tournament) And a defeat against Portugal (finalist) They left the selection outside the tournament in the group stage, generating great disappointment among fans. The coach of that moment was Iñaki Sáez.
world of 2014: Group phase elimination
After success in 2010, Spain faced the Brazil World Cup 2014 as champions. However, suffered a blunt defeat against Holland (5-1) And fell against Chile (2-0), being eliminated again in the group stage and marking the end of a golden era for the selection. The victory against Australia no longer served. Despite this ‘failure’, Vicente del Bosque He had a lot of credit earned and continued to the Eurocup of 2016 Where ‘La Roja’ He suffered another varapalo.
Euro Cup 2016: Elimination in Eighth Final
In France 2016, Spain sought to redeem himself from his previous World Cup failure. But he did not get it. After an irregular group stage, It was eliminated in the round of 16 by Italy (2-0), evidencing the need for a renovation in the team. It was the end of the brilliant era of Vicente del Bosque closed with 1 World and 1 Euro Cup.
world of 2018: Elimination in Eighth Final
In Russia 2018, Spain started as one of the favorites. Nevertheless, After a group stage with ups and downs, It was eliminated in the round of 16 by the host, Russia, In a penalty shootout, prolonging the drought of successes in international tournaments.
These episodes reflect that, Despite the moments of success, The Spanish team has crossed periods of difficulties and disappointments in its history.
The Batacazo of Spain against Morocco in Qatar 2022
He Qatar World Cup 2022 represented one of the greatest disappointments for the Spanish team. The Spanish team arrived at that World Cup after having made a great Eurocup in 2021.
After a brilliant group stage, The time for the qualifiers against Morocco arrived. But in the round of 16, The team led by Luis Enrique was unable to overcome a Morocco who lived from his crossbar in a meeting that ended without goals after 120 minutes of play.
The tie was decided from the penalty spot, Where Spain failed its three releases, allowing the Moroccan team to advance with a blunt 3-0 In the batch. This elimination was a hard blow to the red, that arrived with great expectations of recovering his greatness and ended up goodbye to the tournament prematurely.