After a 3-0 thumping at the hands of Brazil in the final of the Confederations Cup, it is very likely that the world has seen the end of an era of a team that captivated imagination for such a long time.
Neymar’s last game in Brazil before he moves to Europe was bound to be an historic occasion by all means. Brazil playing in the final of the Confederations Cup on home soil against a team that in the past few years, has won everything that international football has on offer. Even before the game, there was a foreboding feeling in the air.
A few cocky gurus in Brazil and other South American nations had even predicted an inconceivable thumping that was not yet given to the Spaniards. A team full of players who led the national side to what will go down in the history books as its golden era, was seen brushed aside in a very professional manner by a young and enthusiastic Brazilian side under the tutelage of Luiz Felipe Scolari who is exactly the kind of manager who can revive the Selecao’s fortunes.
The final score was 3-0 to Brazil and though the scoreline is quite a dominating one, you have to ask if this game will really be the one that decides Brazil’s fate one year from now?
Many people have already branded the South American giants as favourites to winning the tournament on home soil next year. A team currently ranked at 22 is back in the game and will definitely be in the thick of things come the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Indeed it would be really hard to be pessimistic about the team’s chances next year considering the fact that Brazil have definitely gone from strength to strength under Scolari.
A squad full of talents like Neymar, Oscar, Fred, Paulinho, Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Leandro Daimiao is very likely to set the tone for the World Cup next year.
However, it would be very wrong to consider Brazil as heavy favourites to what will be their sixth World Cup triumph. As things stand, another team in Europe is looming large and has gone about quietly with its business.
Germany in the past four years or so, have shown that they have a squad that will be competing for top honours for a long time. Indeed if their World Cup pedigree is given a look, the Germans have been one of the most consistent sides, featuring in the knockout rounds quite regularly.
If the last World Cup was just a glimpse of how promising the squad was, the next one will definitely be the one where the young players have to come off age. The likes of Mario Gotze, Ilkay Guondagan, Marcel Schmlezer, Lahm, Marco Reus, Schweinsteiger and many others have already proven that they have no problems in rubbing shoulders with the best out there so come 2014, Germany will also be looking to make sure that the World Cup trophy stays in Europe.
Not many people will believe it but the winds had started changing when Barcelona were thumped 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League. In a not so similar fashion, Real Madrid were also disposed of by Borussia Dortmund. Last night’s defeat could have been the final nail in the coffin for La Roja.
With the likes of Xavi and Xabi Alonso not getting any younger with time and Iker Casillas not in the best of forms, the recent defeat should serve as a wakeup call for the national side. Dark the clouds maybe, they always come with a silver lining and in Spain’s case it would be the recent performances of the Under 21 side at the European Championships in Israel. That young Spanish team has shown that they can replace the old guard albeit with a different approach to the game, an approach that might work out in their favour.
Like all nations, Spain might experience a downfall. However, last night’s defeat might serve as the kind of motivation that will see the team up its game. Moreover, the Confederations Cup was just a warm-up for the World Cup which means that Spain could once again be a force to be reckoned with next year.
It might be too pre-mature for now to conclude that Spain’s era of dominance is over, but it is clear for all to know that Spain definitely do face a horrendous task in defending their title next year.
A few cocky gurus in Brazil and other South American nations had even predicted an inconceivable thumping that was not yet given to the Spaniards. A team full of players who led the national side to what will go down in the history books as its golden era, was seen brushed aside in a very professional manner by a young and enthusiastic Brazilian side under the tutelage of Luiz Felipe Scolari who is exactly the kind of manager who can revive the Selecao’s fortunes.
The final score was 3-0 to Brazil and though the scoreline is quite a dominating one, you have to ask if this game will really be the one that decides Brazil’s fate one year from now?
Many people have already branded the South American giants as favourites to winning the tournament on home soil next year. A team currently ranked at 22 is back in the game and will definitely be in the thick of things come the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Indeed it would be really hard to be pessimistic about the team’s chances next year considering the fact that Brazil have definitely gone from strength to strength under Scolari.
A squad full of talents like Neymar, Oscar, Fred, Paulinho, Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Leandro Daimiao is very likely to set the tone for the World Cup next year.
However, it would be very wrong to consider Brazil as heavy favourites to what will be their sixth World Cup triumph. As things stand, another team in Europe is looming large and has gone about quietly with its business.
Germany in the past four years or so, have shown that they have a squad that will be competing for top honours for a long time. Indeed if their World Cup pedigree is given a look, the Germans have been one of the most consistent sides, featuring in the knockout rounds quite regularly.
If the last World Cup was just a glimpse of how promising the squad was, the next one will definitely be the one where the young players have to come off age. The likes of Mario Gotze, Ilkay Guondagan, Marcel Schmlezer, Lahm, Marco Reus, Schweinsteiger and many others have already proven that they have no problems in rubbing shoulders with the best out there so come 2014, Germany will also be looking to make sure that the World Cup trophy stays in Europe.
Not many people will believe it but the winds had started changing when Barcelona were thumped 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League. In a not so similar fashion, Real Madrid were also disposed of by Borussia Dortmund. Last night’s defeat could have been the final nail in the coffin for La Roja.
With the likes of Xavi and Xabi Alonso not getting any younger with time and Iker Casillas not in the best of forms, the recent defeat should serve as a wakeup call for the national side. Dark the clouds maybe, they always come with a silver lining and in Spain’s case it would be the recent performances of the Under 21 side at the European Championships in Israel. That young Spanish team has shown that they can replace the old guard albeit with a different approach to the game, an approach that might work out in their favour.
Like all nations, Spain might experience a downfall. However, last night’s defeat might serve as the kind of motivation that will see the team up its game. Moreover, the Confederations Cup was just a warm-up for the World Cup which means that Spain could once again be a force to be reckoned with next year.
It might be too pre-mature for now to conclude that Spain’s era of dominance is over, but it is clear for all to know that Spain definitely do face a horrendous task in defending their title next year.
