Spain's Sergio Busquets reacts after missing a chance to score a goal during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match against Chile at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro June 18, 2014.
Spain's Sergio Busquets reacts after missing a chance to score a goal during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match against Chile at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro June 18, 2014. REUTERS

Goodbye, España

As the defending champions got booted out very early in the 2014 World Cup, three teams have come out as the favourites at this point of the tournament: welcome, Brazil, Argentina and Germany, they are now the frontrunners according to most sportsbooks.

Brazil, behind a voracious home crowd, took their first win off Croatia with a 3-1 victory. They settled for a draw against an inspired Mexican squad but remain the top favourite to win Group A.

Seleção is priced at 4.33 to win the cup but will need a win or draw with the lowly Cameroonians in their last match in the group stage to avoid complications in advancing to the next round.

Like Brazil, Argentina is a near shoo-in to the KO stages but have to avoid upsets to Iran and Nigeria to win and survive the group.

La Albiceleste, which is pegged at 4.5 to go all the way to the title, beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2-1 in their opening match courtesy of a beautiful Lionel Messi goal, considered one of the best so far in the tournament.

The final team considered as the top favourites is Germany, which defeated the supposedly mighty Portugal in their opener, 4-0. The dominating victory confirmed their status as one of the betting odds favourites and Die Mannschaft is now priced at 5.0 to win it all in Brazil.

The Germans take on Ghana and the United States in their next two matches and will most likely advance from and top Group G barring any upsets…

But as what the defending champions learned, any team can beat any one in any World Cup.

Teams like the Netherlands (12.00), Italy (17.00) and France (19.00) have the most value with their respective betting lines (and payout) and are banking for more upsets moving forward.

While Belgium (21.00), slayer-of-Spaniards Chile (23.00) and England (26.00) are deep underdogs; it is within the realm of possibility that they pull-off those upsets to claim the ultimate soccer glory in Brazil.

And since the WC is the time for nationalistic fervor, fans can continue proving their passion for their respective flags… like betting on Greece, Ecuador or Nigeria (all priced at 501.00) or if they have the guts (and deep pockets) Iran (1501.00) and Honduras (2001.00).

Every $100 bet on those teams earn $5,010, $15,010 and $20,010 payouts, respectively.

After the fall of Spain happened, maybe it’s time for the underdogs to rule the 2014 World Cup.