Is There A Curse On World Cup-Winning European Teams?

THIS IS REAL.

This is it. Spain is out of the World Cup after losing to the Netherlands and Chile.

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

How did that happen? How did the reigning champs not even win a single game?

It's a curse.

ESPN

I know, I know. But bear with me.

Four years ago, La Roja won the World Cup in South Africa.

MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP

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And since 1998, every European team that won the World Cup didn't even go through the first round the next time.

In 1998, France won the World Cup.

Daniel Garcia / AFP / Getty Images

But in 2002, they didn't even score a single goal.

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP / Getty Images

Then it was Italy's turn. They won in 2006.

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And they didn't even get through the first round in 2010.

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP

And now Spain, the reigning World Cup champs, are out. If this is not a curse, I don't know what is.

ESPN / Via buzzfeed.com