Spain 2002

Spain 1:1 Ireland

After extra time and penalties 3:2

The Epic Saga Ends!

After the ecstasy of Genoa and the prize of a quarter final berth in 1990, Suwon yielded the agony of defeat in a penalty shoot-out. Unlike in 1994 the Irish were equal to the opposition in the second round stage and came from a goal down to equalise through a penalty, having missed an earlier spot kick.

This match once again featured grit, determination and a will to win, characteristics which have become synonymous with this Irish team.

Once again, in a feat becoming ever more typical of the Irish, they grabbed a last minute equaliser as Robbie Keane scored from a spot kick. Extra-time and the golden goal loomed before the game went to penalties.

The Irish started in a sprightly enough manner with Keane unleashing a shot just wide of the far post after two minutes. The Spanish looked threatening and in the 7 minute scored a relatively easy goal as Morientes nodded in from an Enrique cross.

As in previous matches the Irish rolled up their sleeves and began the slow arduous task of getting themselves out of a hole. Kilbane came close after 12 minutes while Keane continued to torment the Spanish defence.

As the half wore on the Spanish began to get on top of the game and managed to subdue Duff and Keane. Irish hearts sank after 26 minutes when Spain put the ball in the back of the net, but the match officials ruled it offside. This served as a wake-up call and the Boy’s in Green began to apply the pressure on Spain. Just before the half-time whistle, Keane’s cheeky attempt to lob the keeper went over the bar.

The Spanish had a more lively start to the second half when Raul put Morientes through after 2 minutes, but Given was there to ensure the Irish remained in the game a little longer.

Steve Staunton, the captain – in what turned out to be his last international appearance – was substituted through injury by Kenny Cunningham. Within a minute Kelly’s shot was dropped by the keeper and the subsequent volley was cleared off the Spanish line.

In another strategic shift after 55 minutes Quinn came on for Kelly. Once again the strategic change worked with Duff’s never tiring runs causing problems for the Spanish defence. In the 62 minute Duff's persistence was awarded with a penalty when he was brought down in the box.

Ian Harte stepped up to take the penalty, with a a shot which reflected his poor form in the world cup finals, the ball was easily parried by the Spanish keeper. The ball fell for Kilbane, who blasted the ball wide.

The Spanish continued to counter attack and once again had the ball in the back of the net, but yet again it was disallowed for offside. Given also pulled off a last minute save. Ireland continued to search for that elusive goal and Duff on 79 minutes, on one of his mercurial runs beat three players before hitting the post. After 82 minutes Connolly came on for Ian Harte as Ireland went all out for the goal. Within 2 minutes Keane took too much time on the ball and the keeper was quickly off his line quickly to make a save.

Unlike McCarthy’s tactical changes to induce a more attacking style of play the Spanish manager, Camocho, substituted, Morientes (67 minutes) and Raul (80 minutes), an indication maybe thet the Spanish were more intent on a holding style of play! On the 90 minute Quinn was fouled with a blatant case of holding in the box and Keane stepped up to put the penalty away. Robbie Keane had now scored 3 goals in the world cup finals and became the leading Irish scorer in a world cup finals. The Spanish defended deeply for the 4 minutes of added time.

Both sides seemed nervous in the first 5 minutes of extra time, both afraid to concede the golden goal. Overall Ireland seemed to have the upper hand in extra-time but failed to convert possession into goals. The game was played at a frantic pace and the Irish didn’t seem to notice their numerical advantage as Albelda failed to appear for extra-time.

The first effort of extra-time fell to Mendieta whose shot was wide of the post. As extra-time progressed, Spain seemed to lose the will to fight and seemed happy to sit back and absorb the pressure. However they were still dangerous on the counter attack. Connolly's shot went agonisingly wide of the post - inches wide. Then Spain countered and won a corner which was cleared by Cunningham. With both sides tiring penalties loomed

In the penalty shoot out Ireland went first and Keane scored in a confident manner, Hierro stepped forward and also scored, 1-1, next up was Holland whose shot climbed high and off the bar, Baraja then scored, 1-2. Next up was Connolly who in a poor shot drove it at the keeper, Juanfran also missed 1-2. With pressure now mounting on Ireland Kilbane stepped forward and missed, Valeron also missed , 1-2. Next up Finan converted his spot kick, theoretically keeping Ireland in it, if Mendieta misses. Mendieta evidentially didn’t read the scrip and scored to put Ireland out of the world cup finals 2-3 on penalties