RECIFE, Brazil — It was a shocking about-face: Four years after lifting the World Cup trophy and charming fans around the world with its attractive brand of soccer, Spain fizzled unceremoniously out of the tournament’s opening round, losing its first two games. It was cast as the sudden end of an era.

The death knell, dumbfounding as it was, had an oddly familiar ring. Look back to the 2010 tournament in South Africa. Before Spain’s eventual triumph, Italy arrived as the defending champion and was blindsided in the opening round. Somehow, in a group with New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia, Italy finished last and was sent home.

The team was eulogized and harshly criticized as it slipped into a period of organizational soul-searching. But if Spain is smart, it will review the past four years and see how its European rival navigated them.

Since the 2010 debacle, Italy has undergone an impressive rebranding and renaissance. Having embraced new ideas and a spirit of change, it is once again among the top teams in the world and a favorite to go far in Brazil.