Del Bosque admits that Spain exit is deserved

Del Bosque admits that Spain exit is deserved

Vicente del Bosque offered no arguments after Spain's 2-0 defeat to Chile sent them crashing out of the World Cup in Brazil.

La Roja began the tournament as the holders having lifted the trophy in South Africa four years ago, and were among the favourites to lift it once again.

Their elimination at such an early stage may come as a shock, but Del Bosque admits it is deserved. 

“We deserved to go out," he told Spanish television channel Telecino after the game. "But the team showed character today. We kept going and we were a little bit unlucky with goals.”

“We tried, but we were not as good as either of the teams we came up against.”

Talk now will turn to the team's older statesmen - Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas et al - and their future with the national team, but in the immediacy of being knocked out of the World Cup, Del Bosque didn't want to discuss that.

"This not the moment to weigh up retirements," the 63-year-old continued. "Bit by bit decisions can be made.”

Iker Casillas said that it was "difficult to explain what happened," aplologised to the fans and admitted that the players are all culpable together, although he added "it is not the day to start blaming or changing."

Pushed on whether he would play for Spain again he had no answer. 

"I don't know," he said. "I really don't know," before the interview tailed off and the Real Madrid goalkeeper walked away.