After Spain’s early exit from the World Cup 2014, there have been several questions and doubts raised about the future of the Spanish national team. They have achieved immense success in the last six years, but it was preceded by a barren spell of more than four decades. There is a danger that Spain may go down the route once again, but manager Vicente del Bosque has dismissed those fears. Spain have a long list of players coming through and he reckons that the early exit was only because of the generation gap.

Spain managed just one win in the group matches while they were also heavily beaten by Netherlands and Chile in consecutive matches. Their World Cup campaign was effectively over after just two matches, which is one of the worst records in their history. However, Spain have immediately started looking at the Euro 2016 qualifying. Despite this poor form, bookmakers still regard Spain as one of the favourites to lift the Euro 2016. They are almost certainties to qualify for the tournament after being placed in a group containing the likes of Belarus and Ukraine.

Following the friendly match against France in September, Euro 2016 qualifying begins with a match against Macedonia in the first week of September. Vicente del Bosque is already looking forward to this match. “I will speak to my president and general secretary and we will decide whatever is best for Spanish football – with no drama, just making the decision rationally. Today is the end of a six-year cycle, but I think the future of the national team will be positive – we have good young players coming through,” said del Bosque.

The match saw the international retirements of players like David Villa, while the futures of players like Alonso and Iker Casillas are also not clear.