SPAIN’S World Cup inquest has begun after their shocking round of 16 defeat to Morocco yesterday.
La Roja attempted to hypnotise opponents with their volume of passes, but left themselves toothless up front.
Their campaign began with a rampant 7-0 victory over Costa Rica that saw them become one of the favourites to win the tournament.
They led 1-0 at half-time against Germany in their second match, but then everything changed.
Spain surrendered their lead to draw 1-1 with the Germans, before losing top spot in their group by falling to Japan.
Regardless, they were expected to beat Morocco yesterday, but fell on penalties despite having had 77 per cent of the ball.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
During the tournament, boss Luis Enrique initially charmed fans with his amusing Twitch streams.
But with the dust beginning to settle on their campaign, the Spanish papers have turned on Enrique.
Marca led today with the headline “World Cup is beyond us” – before claiming: “Enrique’s future up in the air.”
AS went for “That’s that”, followed by: “Spain out after lots of possession and no shots. FA doubt Enrique should go on.”
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Super Deportes called the campaign a “World Cup disaster”.
They then added: “After the mirage of the first game, Spain leaves through the back door with usual vices and Luis Enrique in the firing line.”
Mundo Deportivo damningly wrote: “Spain out again in last-16, unable to even score a penalty.”
While Diario Sport simply went with: “Shame.”
Enrique first took charge in 2018, after Fernando Hierro had managed La Roja at the World Cup following Julen Lopetegui’s dramatic sacking.
He stepped down for four months the following year, after the tragic death of his nine-year-old daughter Xana.
Upon his return he guided Spain to Euro 2020, where they were unlucky to lose to Italy on penalties in the semi-finals.
During his reign he also managed his country to the 2021 Uefa Nations League final, losing 2-1 to France.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
