Quality lacking in a perfectly imperfect World Cup

It seems an age ago that Xavi walked into a press conference in Salvador before Spain began their defence of this trophy, full of hope and with earned dreams of further history.

Few could have imagined what would follow so when asked about their persistence with tiki taka, both question and answer seemed bland.

The midfielder noted they’d live or die by it but while it would turn out to be the latter, there must now be an increased frustration as this tournament meanders to a close.