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Germany failed again at the World Cup as their defeat to Paraguay on penalties was not just an isolated incident, but the latest chapter in what has turned into a real nightmare for the four-time world champions.
Since lifting the trophy at the Maracana Stadium in Brazil in 2014, Germany have struggled to find their place in World Cup competitions.
The newspaper said:Brand:It’s a curse that now threatens Spain, and one that La Roja will hope to break when they face Austria next Thursday.
Because if there’s one team that can see itself reflected in the German mirror, it’s Spain. Both reached the top, both dominated an era, and both later learned how difficult it is to stay on top.
2018.. the beginning of the German recession
Germany’s decline began with the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Four years after winning the title, Germany suffered one of the biggest disasters in its modern history.
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It was drawn in a group that included Sweden, Mexico and South Korea and managed just one win to finish bottom of the group. His exit from the tournament was surprising and painful for a team used to fighting for the title.
It wasn’t just a fluke, but the regression continued at Qatar 2022. Germany will face Spain in the group stage and they only managed one win to finish third.
Japan and Spain qualified for the round of 16, while Germany made their second consecutive early exit.
And now the next chapter has begun. Germany’s penalty shoot-out loss to Paraguay extends a string of disasters spanning more than a decade. Not since that magical night in Rio de Janeiro did Germany come close to reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup. The champion’s curse still haunts him.
A mirror in which Spain does not want to see itself
Spain’s recent history shows disturbing similarities. After winning the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, La Roja immediately collapsed in Brazil in 2014.
The draw placed them in a group that included the Netherlands, Chile and Australia, and they managed to win just one game to finish third, crashing out of the group stage.
Four years later, in Russia in 2018, the situation has improved, although not significantly. Spain topped their group, which included Portugal, Iran and Morocco, but managed only one win.
Their campaign came to an end against Russia at the start of the round of 16, with a penalty shootout ending a disappointing and underwhelming game.
The same scenario was repeated in Qatar 2022, where it was again eliminated from 1/16. This time, Morocco ended Spain’s World Cup dream.
The difference between Spain and Germany is that La Roja has found reasons for optimism during this time. It reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 (held in 2021) and won Euro 2024, showing it remains a competitive force on the continent.
However, the World Cup remains the biggest challenge. After being declared champion in Johannesburg, Spain could not return to the first place of the tournament.
Two exits in the round of 16 and a group stage exit paint a picture of a very poor record for a team used to high ambitions.
That is why the match against Austria on Thursday is of particular importance. In addition to the direct result, Spain is looking to continue building a process that will enable it to break the German curse that has persisted since 2014. The hero’s curse exists, the numbers back it up, and the precedents back it up.
Spain does not want to become the next great example. After reaching the summit in South Africa, it aims to prove that it is still possible to get back there.
