Adios, Spain: Defending Champion Eliminated From World Cup

Spain isn't the first defending champ to flounder in the first round.

ByABC News

June 18, 2014, 4:45 PM

Spain's Sergio Busquets reacts after missing a chance during the group B World Cup soccer match between Spain and Chile at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 18, 2014.
Manu Fernandez/AP Photo

 -- Better luck next time, Spain.

The defending World Cup champions won't be enjoying a repeat victory. All hope was lost for Spain when Chile dominated them in Rio de Janeiro today, winning 2-0 at Maracana Stadium.

The outlook for Spain was rattled after a less than impressive showing against the Netherlands last week. The teams' first game of the World Cup was a rematch of the 2010 final, but it was the Dutch who walked away with a 5-1 win.

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It's the fourth time a defending champion has floundered during the first round of the World Cup.

Brazilian soccer (football) star Pele (center, in yellow jersey) controls the ball for Brazil at Goodison Park during a match against Hungary in the 1966 World Cup tournament, Liverpool, England, in this July 15, 1966, file photo.

Led by the legendary Pele, Brazil started strong defending their title at the 1966 tournament in England with a 2-0 win over Bulgaria.

After being roughed up on the field, Pele missed Brazil's next game with Hungary, which resulted in a 3-1 loss. That handed the Brazilians its first defeat on the world stage in nearly a decade, and an early exit.

Zinedine Zidane of France, playing his first game in this World Cup, dribbles up the field, in this June 11, 2002, file photo at the Incheon Munhak Stadium in Incheon, in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

The French team went into the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan confident, but lost to Senegal in the opening round. They also went home early.

Fabio Quagliarella of Italy looks dejected during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group F match between Slovakia and Italy at Ellis Park Stadium in this June 24, 2010, file photo in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa was disappointing for Italy, the defending champions. The squad fell to Slovakia in the first round. It was the first time the Italians failed to advance since 1974.