Saturday began with the Spanish press full of tributes to Real Madrid club captain Iker Casillas on completing 15 years as a first-team player at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — with over 700 games for the club, and an enviable trophy haul including three Champions Leagues, five La Liga titles and two Copas del Rey.

Spain may have wowed the world over the last four years with their stylish passing football, but they would not be defending European, or World Cup, champions without [the interventions of keeper Iker Casillas.