MADRID, June 19 — Grim-looking Spaniards clutching beers in Madrid bars grasped for explanations today as their heroes crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages, beaten 2-0 by Chile.

“What do I think? Sadness. And I think they didn’t play at all. I think they were tired,” said Joaquin Lamas, 34, a salesman, who had painted is face in the Spain colours and wore a red Spain shirt ready for a victory party.

“It is a surprise. I was not expecting it. I thought we would get to the final. I was hoping to celebrate today,” he said as half a dozen customers nursed drinks and glared glumly at a television in the city centre’s Taberna del Gijon bar.

“From the fifth minute I knew Spain was not going to do anything,” he complained.

“Bad, bad, very bad. I am too sad to say anything good,” he said.

Spain’s sporting press reflected the mood.

“World failure” headlined the online edition of conservative daily El Mundo, as the defeat of the Roja relegated the story of King Felipe VI’s ascension to the throne to second place.

“Failed!” echoed Spain’s biggest-selling sports daily Marca.

“A sad farewell to the champions of the world,” the paper said.

“Spain once again gave a very poor image, dominated by a Chilean team that barely had to make an effort.

Rival sports paper AS headlined: “Goodbye to the World Cup”.

“Spain did not react and becomes the first team to be eliminated,” it said.

Back at the Madrid bar, some customers sought to take the pain off the defeat.

“I am very disappointed. We were hoping for something else. We were hoping for a better game, a better attitude,” said Angel Matia, a 34-year-old publicist.

“Beer and the anisette we just had makes it a bit better,” he added.

“The problem? The truth is I don’t know.

“I suppose we have forgotten how to play or we’re physically tired.” — AFP