Spain Golden Generation of Football

It is a phenomenon of the world that when something rises it has to fall any day in future. But it matters how much that rise was influential. Spain from 2008 to 2012, was an unbeatable team that played an exemplary game of football. The team not only ruled the football world but also made an exceptional admiration for football lovers. It was a tremendous group of gifted players with loads of talent that lifted 2 Euros and 1 World Cup in just 5 Years. So, without a delay let’s move on to their 3 straight prestigious titles of International Football.

Spain 2008

UEFA Euro 2008 was the 13th Edition of the European Championship where top-class players like Xavi, Iniesta, Ramos, Puyol, Fabregas, Xabi, and David Villa were playing. The most important aspects of Spain's Golden Generation was their mesmerizing playing style through clinical passes. Spain defeated Russia, Greece, and Sweden in the group stage of Euro 2008 before advancing to the Quarterfinals. Then, World Champions 2006 Italy came where Luis Aragonés side advanced to Semi-Finals on 4-2 Penalty Shootout. Once again Russia was the opposition and Spain won 3-0 through the goals of midfield maestro Xavi, Güiza, and David Silva and through to the Finals.

Spain faced Germany in the Final at Ernst-Happel-Stadion. At 33’ Spain went ahead through Fernando Torres' strike. Later on, Germany fought hard to level the game but Spaniard perfectly saved the lead and secured their first International Title since 1964. Xavi Hernandez was The Player of The Tournament.

Spain 2010

The dream of La Roja finally came to life in Africa. The Spanish side did not start well as they were defeated by Switzerland 1-0 in their opening match. However, since then they made an outstanding comeback and beat Honduras and Chile and booked the first spot in group stage. This Golden Generation of Spain had several qualities but the pinnacle of them all was the Xavi and Iniesta duo. The two maestros were the success key for both Luis Aragonés and Vicente del Bosque. Before arriving in the Final, Spain defeated Portugal, Paraguay, and Germany by 1-0 each.

Spain faced off The Netherlands in the Final at Johannesburg where the game went goalless for 90’. Everything was alike before the decisive pass by Fabregas in the box and Iniesta’s final strike separated the two. This is the first ever and the only World Cup of Spain Football. Leaving David Villa's contribution would be an injustice as The Top Scorer (4 Goals) of World Cup 2010. 

Spain 2012

The last step towards Spain’s glorious era. Compared to the World Cup where Spain played more containing the ball with 4-3-2-1. In Euro 2012, Vincent del Bosque preferred a more attacking style with 4-2-3-1. One thing remained common, Xavi has the driving seat of Spain gameplay. La Roja passed the group stage with 2 wins and 1 draw over Italy, Ireland and Croatia. In the Quarter Finals, they faced France and had a commanding victory by 2-0. In the Semifinals, Portugal was in superb form, creating the main threat to Spain. But somehow the game remained goalless for 120’. Spain advanced to the Euro 2012 finals due to Joao Moutinho and Bruno Alves' missed penalties in the penalty shootout.

The defending champions were on the verge of winning another Euro only to overcome Italy. Spain scored an early Goal at 14’ by David Silva. Azzurri tried three times to level up the game but salute Casillas who stopped them. At 41’ Alba made 2-0 as Spain had a lead at HT. The 2nd Half was all Spain as Torres scored through a Xavi pass before assisting Juan Mata to seal The Championship with 4-0. Catalan maestro Andrés Iniesta was The Player of The Tournament.

Spain 2014

The year that brought the downfall. The Netherlands took more than revenge from La Roja in the group stage of World Cup 2014. The Dutch side thumped up Spain by 5-1. This defeat was a glimpse of The End of Spain Golden Generation. The major reasons for the downfall were the change in the squad, playing style and lack of effectiveness. The wall of Spain, Casillas lost his brilliance, Xavi the pivot of Spain’s gameplay lost his sharpness and the absence of peak Fernando Torres and Villa who picked up the passes in the Final third and slashed through the defensive line, led to Spain's collapse.

Did You Know

With Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012, Spain has participated in 19 games and only lost once against Switzerland and won 15, with three draws. Moreover, they also kept 13 Clean Sheets in 19 games. 

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