Spain began their World Cup adventure in Germany desperate to shake off their 'underachievers' tag but left the tournament in familiar style after a second-round defeat to France.

Despite consistently producing top players and enjoying success in European club football, the Spanish have now failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals of a World Cup in 56 years.

With controversial coach Luis Aragones first stating he would leave his job after their elimination, then signing a new contract to include the Euro 2008 finals, the future for Spain looks uncertain.

That looked unlikely after the opening games of the tournament, as Spain's hugely impressive 4-0 demolition of Ukraine led to them being touted amongst the favourites for World Cup glory.

Despite requiring a play-off win over Slovakia to even qualify for the finals, the Spanish starting XI is certainly formidable on paper.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is world class, while Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is a rock at centre-half alongside Pablo Ibanez.

In a midfield containing such talents as Barcelona's Xavi, Liverpool playmaker Xabi Alonso, Arsenal starlet Cesc Fabregas and Valencia's Marcos Senna, Spain appeared to have the class to match anyone.

And in Atletico Madrid's highly-rated youngster Fernando Torres and Valencia's David Villa, Spain possessed the liveliest front two in the tournament during the group stages.

With legend Raul consigned to bench-warming duties, both Torres and Villa scored against Ukraine, while Torres added two more against Tunisia.

Playing an attacking 4-3-3 formation, Spain destroyed Ukraine in the performance of the opening week. While other nations had struggled in the afternoon heat, the Spaniards were full of energy in Leipzig and looked a class act.

The fourth and final goal summed up the performance, Puyol carrying the ball 50 yards, playing a deft one two, before teeing up Torres to score with a fine volley.

However, despite the undoubted quality contained within their squad, they never matched the quality of that opening victory, and were behind in their second match to Tunisia for over an hour before three late goals gave their eventual win some gloss.

Aragones then chose to rest his entire starting XI in the final game against Saudi Arabia, where a 1-0 win ensured they topped their group with nine points, one of only four teams to compile a maximum haul.

After winning their group comprehensively, Spain may have been disappointed to face France in the last 16, rather than Switzerland.

However, after the French had struggled to qualify, only ensuring second spot in their group with a nervy 2-0 win against Togo, Spain would still have fancied their chances.

In a tight encounter in Hanover, all appeared to be going to plan for the Spanish as they dominated the first half.

Villa converted a penalty after 28 minutes to give them a deserved lead, but Aragones' men were shocked by Franck Ribery's equaliser for France four minutes from half-time.

A poor second-half performance followed from Spain, as yet again they failed to shine in the face of their first real test, while the French found the form and spirit which took them to World Cup glory in 1998.

Late goals from Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane secured a 3-1 win for France and an early return home for Spain, whose tag of underachievers will hang around the team's neck for at least another four years.