Xabi Alonso: 'Spain glory years over'

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso has admitted that the country's glory years are over following their early exit from the Brazil World Cup with two opening defeats.

Vicente del Bosque's side were thrashed 5-1 by the Netherlands, before being beaten by Chile on Wednesday night to become the fifth team in a World Cup to be knocked out of the group stage four years after winning the tournament.

"We didn't know how to maintain our hunger or that conviction needed to win a tournament," BBC Sport quotes the Real Madrid midfielder as saying. "The joy and success we've experienced is over.

"Normally cycles come to an end after a defeat. Maybe it would be best to think about making changes."

Meanwhile, Spain boss Del Bosque did not comment on his future after the loss to Chile.