The end of an era for Spain's golden generation

Since Spain reached the heights of international football and spent four years there, it has been a long six years since then. Three major tournaments have come and gona and the team has been unable to get back to its best. And now reality has hit home with the same vengeance it did for France and Brazil. It's the end of an era, however much that might be painful to hear for the players that helped to write their names in to Spanish footballing history and World Cup history.

The survivors of Spain's 3 wins at major tournaments between 2008 and 2012 took part in the final act in the story of the finest footballing generation that Spain has ever seen in Moscow on Sunday.

Iniesta and Pique had already announced their retirements from international football before they has arrived in Russia, and played their last game for the Spanish national side against Russia.

On top of those, there are several players who are above or almost 30. David Silva is 32 years old and could be another to end his international career, as well as 36 year-old Pepe Reina.

For Diego Costa (30), Jordi Alba (29), Sergio Ramos (32) and Sergio Busquets (30), they could have just played their last games at a World Cup.

Now it is the turn of Isco, Marco Asensio, Kepa and Saul. The road to the next European Championships will be their responsibilty. And of course, they will have the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on the horizon.