Where now for Spain and tiki-taka after humiliating World Cup?

As the dust begins to settle on Spain’s failure at the 2014 World Cup, the inquisition into what went wrong will begin.

To put into context precisely what a fall from grace it has been for Vicente Del Bosque’s side, we only need look at their goals against column in Brazil.

In the first two group games, La Roja conceded seven goals. That’s more than the total conceded at the 2008 European Championships, 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championships combined (six goals). It’s an astonishing but very relevant statistic.

That and the fact that they failed to score from open play in those first two games before their comfortable win over Australia, despite having the luxury of players such as Costa, Villa, Silva, Iniesta and Xavi at their disposal.

Spain’s r23-man squad reads like a who’s who of world football; players who have been instrumental to success at club level. It beggars belief quite frankly how Vicente Del Bosque’s empire has not just crumbled, but been completely dismantled in little under a week.

Yet, if we loop back 12 months and the last time that Spain played at the Maracana, the signs of what was in store were there.

During the Confederations Cup final of 2013, the Selecao tore apart their opponents for long periods, and in truth the 3-0 score line flattered Spain. It’s difficult to recall a point in the game where they had a foothold, so comprehensively were they beaten.

Brazil attacked Spain with a fluency and intensity that unsettled the World Champions, something that has been replicated at this tournament.

Wins against Italy in March, and Bolivia and El Salvador in the lead up to this World Cup gave no hint to the fate that would ultimately befall them in Brazil. No goals conceded suggested a rock-solid defence.

With David Villa not getting any younger and Fernando Torres woefully out of form, the selection of Diego Costa as the lone front man seemed a fairly obvious pick for the opening game against Holland. However, this wasn’t the Diego Costa that Atletico Madrid fans enjoyed during the last campaign.

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No penetration, no injection of pace and no inventiveness. Did Del Bosque not see the last few games of the regular season when Costa was subbed early in three games, including the Champions League Final, with hamstring problems? Problems which were still troubling him right up to the point that he booked his seat on the plane.

For Spain to have had any sort of success in the final third then the work-rate and effort of the midfield was also crucial. Perhaps noting Spain’s previous struggles with a high-tempo pressing game, Holland went straight for the jugular.

Going behind to a debatable penalty only served to stir the Oranje, with Robin Van Persie’s delightful header coming just at the right time.

As Spain’s carousel slowed to a grinding halt in the second period, so Louis Van Gaal’s forceful and rapier-like attack carved apart the La Roja defence at will. Gerard Pique in particular was displaying all of the hallmarks of his poor season in Blaugrana.

The double pivot of Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso patently wasn’t working either and the labored and immobile nature of David Silva and Xavi’s play meant that any forays into the opposite half by Jordi Alba or Cesar Azpilicueta were moribund; the ball into the channels was rarely executed with any degree of success.

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Although the idea of the long ball game is detested by Del Bosque, given the circumstances and how it would’ve played to Costa’s strengths rather than the ball in behind, it should have been employed.

Against Chile, the manager was at least decisive in his starting selection. Pique’s omission was no surprise, but it was a real statement from the Marquis at not selecting Xavi.

It was the first time since 2006 that less than five Barcelona players were in the Spanish starting line-up. With the Catalans own freefall into the abyss well documented, the parallels with the demise of the national team are obvious.

Chile utilized their 3-4-1-2 formation expertly as the Dutch had before them, attacking at pace and with venom. Alexis Sanchez was the chief protagonist and along with Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel, he didn’t give the Spaniard’s a moment’s peace.

Jorge Sampaoli’s game plan wasn’t unexpected so for Del Bosque to employ the same formation and tactics was extremely short-sighted to say the least.

Long before the end, the Spanish were out on their feet again, club successes of the last few years taking their toll both physically and mentally. With nothing left in the tank Spain were completely impotent as an attacking force.

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So where do Spain go from here?

For the last six years, this mesmeric and aesthetically-pleasing brand of football has swept all before it. A historic three major championship wins in succession is reason enough to retain the blueprint.

A root and branch clear out is not only unnecessary, it would be sheer stupidity. Despite what many would have you believe, tiki-taka most certainly isn’t dead, it just needs a little reconditioning.

If Del Bosque is guilty of anything it’s sticking with his tried and tested generals without paying enough heed to that which has been staring him squarely in the face since that trip to the Maracana last summer.

As the elder statesmen of the team ride off into the international sunset, a few young bucks hold the key to some Spanish “bouncebackability.” Players such as Thiago Alcantara, Jese Rodriguez, Isco, Alvaro Morata, Koke and Gerard Deulofeu can keep the tiki-taka torch burning brightly.

Write them off at your peril.