THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE EMPIRE
In 2010 Andrés Iniesta won Spain the World Cup in the 116th minute against the Netherlands. Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012: six years, three trophies, and tiki-taka owned the game.
THREE FUNERALS
Then the empire fell. In 2014 the holders went out in the group, including a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands. In 2018 they lost on penalties to Russia, and in 2022 on penalties to Morocco.
THE CHILDREN
A new coach bet on youth. Spain won Euro 2024 with seven wins from seven, Oyarzabal scoring the winner against England in the final. Rodri took the Ballon d'Or, and Lamine Yamal, then 16, made grown defenders look lost. At 18 he finished second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or vote.
WORLD CUP 2026
0-0 with Cape Verde, 4-0 over Saudi Arabia with Yamal's first World Cup goal, then 3-0 over Austria in the round of 32. Next: Portugal in Dallas, Yamal, 18, against Ronaldo, 41.
MORE FROM WORLD CUP 2026
THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
The argument also lives in the YouTube comments ↗.