Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has defended his veterans after a disastrous World Cup.

Del Bosque refused to pin the blame on Spain's older generation such as Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez.

"There are not that many older players that need to leave. Here we judge players on merit, not on their age."

He added: "Everyone here messed up at this World Cup. It wasn't the veterans, the youngsters or the coaching staff - everyone is to blame."

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