They are a novel without an editor: Twitter mocks Spain after they lose despite completing over 1000 passes

Spain arrived at the World Cup convinced they were ready to rule world football again but Sunday's defeat to Russia in the last 16 has set the 2010 champions back a decade and brought an end to a glorious generation.

The idea that Spain, boasting a squad bursting with winners at club and international level, could be sent home by the lowest-ranked team in the tournament would have sounded preposterous just a month ago, but as the minutes ticked by at the Luzhniki stadium it seemed ever more likely.

Despite making an astounding 1,107 total passes, Spain could not break the 1-1 deadlock and their fate was sealed when Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev booted away Iago Aspas's spotkick to cap a 4-3 shootout win for the hosts.

Perennial underachievers on the international stage, Spain rid themselves of that tag during a glorious cycle between 2008 and 2012 when they won back-to-back European Championships and a first World Cup.

Here's how Twitter reacted: 

Me, for the last 120 minutes watching Spain pass 1000+ times pic.twitter.com/PuVD25mx7y

— Kristen Soltis Anderson (@KSoltisAnderson) July 1, 2018

Great stat. But how about actually scoring goals though..?  https://t.co/jw2G0jheS3

— Andee (@AndeeM_) July 1, 2018

Record breaker! https://t.co/GSP5JU9cWe

— Rifqi A. (@rifqiannafi) July 1, 2018

All sideways https://t.co/endUH8N5Z5

— NJ Gooner (@SKafc3) July 1, 2018

1000+ passes to the airport, Adios! https://t.co/pLpUfl9TYc

— Yaya Mudogo (@jay_Benson2) July 1, 2018

And they're gone out. https://t.co/bHiSSHLR5C

— Bacem Daly (@r9bacem) July 1, 2018

Still with one goal... https://t.co/kHcO57HOwe

— Lovisa Abihail (@loyilonu) July 1, 2018

1000 passes and only one goal. Spain are the prog rock of international football. https://t.co/rlwc3Kerxm

— Comrade Jesus (@StonerJesus) July 1, 2018

They are a novel without a good editor. https://t.co/HJ1vQzkRLf

— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) July 1, 2018

Spain: 1000+ Passes 1 own goal
Russia: 250 Passes 1 Goal
Spain: 9 Shots on target
Russia: Only 1 and that is their Goal
Spain: Possession 75%
Russia: Possession 25%
And
Russia Won #WorldCup #ESPRUS

— Tallal  (@officialtallal) July 1, 2018

#ESP are the first team in at least 50 years to attempt 1000 or more passes in a single #WorldCup game.

Into four-figures for passes but only one has led to a goal. pic.twitter.com/rxNVKd3nZF

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 1, 2018