With swollen eyes, wounded pride and what-ifs everywhere, one of Spain’s finest generations bid a tearful farewell to international football. Luckily though, the seeds of another were planted in a heavily contentious quarter-final failure to co-hosts Korea.

　　Fernando Hierro, Spain’s captain, all-time leading scorer and as tough a tackler as Spanish football has ever known, rallied his exhausted mates until the final whistle, playing his father-role with dignity and honour to spare. When the whistle went it was old man Hierro who comforted and soothed the young ones with warm embraces and kind words as the world seemed to crumble once again around the cursed Spanish squad.

　　After the match the Real Madrid bastion hurled no insults nor did he spit bitter criticism, choosing instead to recall fondly a fine career.“I am leaving with good feelings…No one can take away my pride atshavingsworn the national team shirt.”

　　Barcelona’s Nadal, Hierro’s partner at the back with tan skin, dark hair and a hulking frame more suited to a quarry than a football pitch, also carried himself off the park with honour after fine years of service for La Furia.“I wouldn’t say the referee was to blame, it’s just one of those things.”

　　And Nadal’s one-time club mate Luis Enrique, Spain’s passionate soul, more than likely played his last FIFA World Cup? match in Gwangju, and he pointed out bitter disappointment rather than fingers in the direction of the officiating crew.

　　“When you've come so close, the feeling you're left with is one of terrible sadness,”said the battling midfielder.

　　In a day of sad deaths and agonizing defeat, symbols of birth, new heroes and new stars for the future were on display for the watching world.

　　20-year-old Betis midfielder Joaquin, no less brilliant forshavingsmissed his penalty in the shootout, was the finest player on the pitch for the full 90 minutes of regulation. Roving well down the right flank, the youngster teased his poor marker with impunity, again and again setting up a disallowed goal for Morientes in extra time.

　　Puyol too, Barcelona’s young bull at the back, proved himself a worthy successor to his more battle-scared team-mates in a gutsy final performance.

　　And Real Madrid’s young‘keeper Iker Casillas was an inspiration. He saved the day on a number of occasions and played with the spirit and quality of a full veteran, before falling victim to cruel penalties.

　　From death, comes life the old adage goes. And as one of Spain’s most golden generations took a dignified bow on an unbearable afternoon in Gwangju, a beacon of hope was there for all to see.

　　And while some pointed to the referee, Spain carried herself home yet again with honour and dignity to spare.