The world champions were outfought and out-pressed on Sunday, just like the Catalan club in the Champions League, and major changes are now needed ahead of the World Cup next year
Many of Spain's players had been here before. This was Barcelona-Bayern all over again and the deja vuwas as fresh as it was frightening. Just as the Bavarians picked apart, pummeled, out-pressed and depressed the Catalans in the two-legged 7-0 Champions League humiliation back in April, Brazil broke an era-defining Spain side on Sunday.
Shell-shocked Spain were on the back foot from the outset as an electric Maracana inspired the home team to a scintillating start. Brazil came out flying and were ahead within two minutes as Fred profited to fire home a loose ball which should have been cleared by Alvaro Arbeloa with Gerard Pique and Iker Casillas also slow to react.
Spain had not conceded in any of their showpiece successes over the last five years, winning the Euro 2008 final 1-0 over Germany, beating Netherlands by the same scoreline at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and thrashing Italy 4-0 to claim Euro 2012 last summer. Now they had to react - but they couldn't.
Juan Mata set up Pedro for a glorious chance in what was the only meaningful moment from both players in a dire display from Spain's attackers, but David Luiz produced a miraculous clearance on the line to maintain the Selecao's cushion. It was only fair and minutes later, the scoreline truly reflected the play as Neymar smashed home to make it 2-0. Barcelona's new signing twice left Arbeloa in his wake, with the full-back unable to make a challenge, while Casillas was beaten at his near post - albeit by a thunderous effort.
Golden boy | Spain's defence was given a torrid time by Neymar
Arbeloa leads a charmed life in this Spain side. The former Liverpool right-back offers very little going forward and is too easily beaten by pace and trickery at the back. Given a torrid time by Neymar in the opening 45 minutes, he was replaced at the interval by Cesar Azpilicueta and on such form, should probably never return to the starting XI at all.
The second half began just like the first - with a Brazil goal - and Azpilicueta was guilty this time as he allowed Fred too much time and space to fire a second past Casillas, who should have made the save. One spectacular stop to deny Fred in the first half aside, this was a poor performance from the Spain skipper - perhaps his worst in 148 appearances for la Roja.
But there were sub-standard showings all over the pitch for Spain. Sergio Ramos was caught out of position time and time again, his misery compounded as he missed a penalty on 55 minutes which should have given the world champions a lifeline. Why he even took it at all is anyone's guess.
Meanwhile, his defensive partner Pique was caught ball-watching in the first goal and saw red later on for a clumsy challenge on Neymar which will make for an awkward first meeting at Barcelona training later this month.
And Jordi Alba, so impressive in attack throughout this tournament, was unable to have any impact going forward while he struggled to contain the threat of Hulk and also played Neymar onside for the second goal. Wherever you looked from a Spain perspective, this was not pretty.
A key feature of la Roja's success in recent years has been their pressing and it was notable in their first group game too against Uruguay. On Sunday, however, Vicente del Bosque's side had no answer to Brazil's high-tempo game. The home team had an extra day of rest ahead of the final, while Spain's energy was sapped by extra time and penalties in their semi-final success versus Italy. The 94 per cent humidity also suited the locals more than their visitors.
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