Manchester United star David De Gea slated by Spanish media after World Cup display
Spain were sent crashing out in the last 16 by hosts Russia and the keeper was held responsible for La Roja's exit
David De Gea had a World Cup to forget.
He leaves Russia with the worst statistics of any goalkeeper for 52 years.
The Manchester United star made fewer saves from at least three World Cup games than anyone since 1966 as Spain were knocked out by Russia in the last 16 on penalties.
Out of the seven shots on Spain's goal, six of them ended up in De Gea's net, and he failed to stop any of the four Russian penalties in the shootout despite getting close to a couple.
That isn't to excuse the fact that La Roja's outfield players spent two hours on the ball with no threat against Russia, making over 1000 passes without taking a single risk.
Koke and Iago Aspas, crucially, missed with tame penalties in the shoot-out. But the Spanish media have their scapegoat.
Marca, who rated De Gea lower than any other player, opened their report with: "De Gea didn't save any of Russia's four penalties and left Russia having lost his position as the undisputed No. 1 of Spain.
"It would be wrong to blame David De Gea for Spain's elimination from the World Cup," they added.
"But what is true is that the goalkeeper has not produced the best four games of his life and statistics back this up.
"It means that he is the goalkeeper that has made fewest saves from at least three games since 1966."
El Mundo Deportivo believe that is a "convincing statistic that condemns De Gea".
AS described De Gea as a 'ghost' and in reference to Aleksandr Golovin's penalty that slid under the United man, they wrote: "Nobody can explain how he did not stop this penalty.
"De Gea's World Cup has been a disaster.
"The penalty shootout was one more example. In the third Russian penalty with everything in favour to stop it, incomprehensibly the ball went through him."
AS writer Daniel Izizar added: "De Gea has been one of the most important players of the Spanish national team in Russia.
"Put another way, 91.6 per cent of shots against Spain ended in goal."
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