Spain salvages pride with 3-0 win over Australia

Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque embraces Andres Iniesta after their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match against Australia at the Baixada arena in Curitiba, June 23, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

With that domination now at an end, the task facing Spain is to manage the transition from an aging squad that has won everything in the game to a new generation of players waiting to take center stage.

"We went out with dignity," Del Bosque said.

"These have been six years of which we have been first in the FIFA ranking, a generation of players that have taught others, and have shown themselves," he added. "We bow out with our head high knowing the future of the Spanish team has a good base regardless of who coaches it, with good veterans."

In the early minutes of the match, Australia took the game to the champions, but it wasn't long before Spain asserted control and started dominating possession.

"We started bright enough but you have to give credit to them, they are a quality team," Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said. "We looked jaded, tired, and gave away the ball too easily, so it's disappointing."

Australia, which lacked bite up front through the suspension of Tim Cahill, finished with zero points, its worst ever performance in a World Cup. On its 1974 debut, Australia garnered a point.

However, the Socceroos were in an extremely tough group and pushed the Netherlands hard during its 3-2 defeat.

For its part, Spain avoided the worst World Cup title defense in history. That label remains with the France team of 2002, which only secured one point in its goal-less campaign in the tournament co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

"What happened is in the past now," Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso said. "We tried to face our situation in the best manner possible. This is football, though, and we go home sad."

Lineups:

Australia: Mat Ryan, Ryan McGowan, Jason Davidson, Matthew Spiranovic, Alex Wilkinson, Matt McKay, Mile Jedinak, Oliver Bozanic (Mark Bresciano, 72), Tommy Oar (James Troisi, 61), Matthew Leckie, Adam Taggart (Ben Halloran, 46).

Spain: Pepe Reina, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Jordi Alba, Juanfran Torres, Koke, Xabi Alonso (David Silva, 83), Santi Cazorla (Cesc Fabregas, 68), Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres, David Villa (Juan Mata, 56).