Hot News: World Cup 2014: France And Italy Offer Proof That Spain Is Far From Doomed

Much has already been made of Spain's amazing collapse in the 2014 World Cup. The defending champions have suffered losses to Holland and Chile in their first two games, ensuring a quick trip home from Brazil. But while Spanish fans are undoubtedly furious at the flame out, some perspective is necessary. Not only does the disappointing exit not diminish what La Roja had previously accomplished but, as recent history highlights, it also shouldn't be taken as proof that Spain's dynasty has come to an end.

Spain's exit marks just the fourth time that a defending World Cup champion failed to escape the group stage. The previous three were Brazil in 1966, France in 2002 and Italy in 2010 (it technically also happened to Italy in 1950, but the team's preceding victory was 12 years earlier in 1938). The first example is neither recent nor even necessarily illustrative, as Brazil had to play some group stage games without stars Pele and Garrincha, but the latter two examples come from recent tournaments and offer proof that a disastrous World Cup performance isn't the end of the road.

When France bombed out in 2002, head coach Roger Lemerre was fired and replaced by Jacques Santini. Two years later, the team made it to the quarter-finals of the Euro 2004 before losing to eventual champions Greece. In the following World Cup in 2006, France made it all the way to the finals before losing to Italy. In short, disappointment in 2002 was succeeded by deep runs in the next two major international tournaments.

And that same Italy team would, like France before it, fail to get out of its group in the subsequent World Cup. The Azzurri responded by immediately bringing on a new head coach, replacing Marcello Lippi with Cesare Prandelli. And then, again like France, the Italian team went on to have a strong showing at the European Championship two years later, reaching the finals before losing to 2010 World Cup winner Spain. Italy's trip to Brazil is also off to a stellar start thanks to a 2-1 victory over England.

So Spain, like France and Italy earlier in the decade, has suffered a major blow, but that doesn't mean the recent dynasty is dead and gone. Of course every team is different, and two recent examples fall far short of a significant sample size, but France and Italy have shown that disaster at the World Cup doesn't preclude a team from enjoying subsequent international success. It may cost coach Vicente del Bosque his job, but there is no reason why Spain, which still has an incredible wealth of talent, can't follow in their footsteps. Follow @ChrisSmith813

Post By http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2014/06/19/world-cup-2014-france-and-italy-offer-proof-that-spain-is-far-from-doomed/