June 28 – England were not the only team to incur the wrath of their national press after exiting Euro 2016. Spanish media blasted their own side and called on coach Vicente del Bosque to resign after the defending champions were knocked out by Italy.
‘Failure’ said the headline in Barcelona-based newspaper Sport after Monday’s 2-0 defeat in Paris ended Spain’s bid for a third successive European title, while El Mundo Deportivo mocked the side nicknamed La Roja (The Red) with a headline reading ‘La Floja’ (The Weak).
The Madrid-based AS paper carried the headline: ‘End of an era’ and said Del Bosque had to go.
In the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, Spain beat Italy on penalties, then went on to win the title, followed by the 2010 World Cup and then the Euros again four years ago when they thrashed Italy in the final.
But this time revenge was sweet for the Italians and Marca’s front page read: “We are no longer the best. 2008-2016, it was beautiful while it lasted. It all started and ended with Italy”.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714018202labto1714018202ofdlr1714018202owedi1714018202sni@w1714018202ahsra1714018202w.wer1714018202dna1714018202