A recent history

Some general information for those of you too young or too old to remember.

One interesting trend: Spain has met Korea in three of the last four World Cups. If Spain wins its group in 2006 and Korea finishes second in its group (a very possible, if not likely scenario), the two teams meet once again.

SPAIN’S PERFORMANCE IN THE PAST FIVE WORLD CUPS
2002 in Korea-Japan, lost quarterfinal
First round: Spain 3, Slovenia 1
First round: Spain 3, Paraguay 1
First round: Spain 3, South Africa 2
Round of 16: Spain 1, Ireland 1 (Spain wins 3-2 on penalties)
Quarterfinal: Korea 0, Spain 0 (Korea wins 5-3 on penalties)

1998 in France, lost first round
First round: Nigeria 3, Spain 2
First round: Spain 0, Paraguay 0
First round: Spain 6, Bulgaria 1

1994 in United States, lost quarterfinal
First round: Spain 2, South Korea 2
First round: Germany 1, Spain 1
First round: Spain 3, Bolivia 1
Round of 16: Spain 3, Switzerland 0
Quarterfinal: Italy 2, Spain 1

1990 in Italy, lost round of 16
First round: Spain 0, Uruguay 0
First round: Spain 3, South Korea 1
First round: Spain 2, Belgium 1
Round of 16: Yugoslavia 2, Spain 1

1986 in Mexico, lost quarterfinal
First round: Brazil 1, Spain 0
First round: Spain 2, Northern Ireland 1
First round: Spain 3, Algeria 0
Round of 16: Spain 5, Denmark 1
Quarterfinal: Belgium 1, Spain 1 (Belgium wins 5-4 on penalties)