Spain’s World Cup Struggle: Just 5 Wins in 17 Matches as Tournament Begins
June 14, 2024
Spain’s opening match of the 2024 World Cup ended in a goalless draw against Costa Rica, marking their 17th consecutive World Cup or Euro match without a victory—a drought that began in 2019. With just five wins in their last 26 competitive games, the Spanish national team faces its most uncertain tournament start in decades, according to FIFA and UEFA records.
Why Spain’s Winless Streak Stands Out in World Cup History
Spain’s current streak of 17 matches without a win is the longest in their World Cup and European Championship history, surpassing their previous record of 12 matches between 2006 and 2012. According to FIFA’s official tournament statistics, only three other teams—Switzerland (19 matches), Italy (14 matches), and the Netherlands (12 matches)—have endured longer winless runs in World Cup history.
The drought began with a 0-1 loss to Croatia in the 2019 UEFA Nations League, followed by a series of draws and defeats in qualifying campaigns for Euro 2020 (postponed to 2021) and the 2022 World Cup. Spain’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024 further deepened the crisis, forcing them into a playoff against Scotland—a victory that secured their place in Qatar.
Key Factors Behind Spain’s Struggles
1. Tactical Overhaul Under Luis de la Fuente
Spain’s new head coach, Luis de la Fuente, has implemented a 4-3-3 formation, a departure from the 4-1-4-1 system used under Vicente del Bosque and Julen Lopetegui. While this shift aims to improve defensive solidity, it has also limited Spain’s traditional attacking fluidity, according to Marca and AS tactical analyses.
De la Fuente has emphasized set-piece defense and counterattacks, but this approach has struggled against teams with disciplined midfield blocks. In their last five matches before the World Cup, Spain conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game—double their average in the previous two tournaments.
2. Midfield Dominance Without the Ball
Spain’s midfield, once the engine of their “tiki-taka” style, now lacks a true playmaker. Pedri and Rodri are still young and developing, while Casemiro (now at Manchester United) has struggled with consistency. According to Transfermarkt, Spain’s midfielders have completed just 62% of their passes in the last 12 months, down from 78% in 2022.
3. Defensive Vulnerabilities
Spain’s defense, led by Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias, has been exposed in high-pressure moments. In their last 10 matches, they have conceded at least one goal in eight of them, with FIFA data showing they rank 22nd out of 32 teams in defensive actions per game.
How Spain’s World Cup Draw Works Against Them
Spain’s group-stage opponents— More on this
