Ireland were extremely unlucky to go out of the World Cup on penalties after having dominated much of the second half and extra time. Spain took off their strikers in the second half when they were 1-0 up while Ireland put four strikers on to try and get the goal they needed. This gave the advantage to Ireland and they scored in the 90th minute and then had chances to score in extra time but the game finished at 1-1 - penalties decided who went through to the quarter finals.

The first half of the match was dominated by Spain and they scored after only 8 minutes. Puyol crossed in from the right wing and Morientes got ahead of Gary Breen at the near post to head past Shay Given and give Spain a 1-0 lead. Spain were then thwarted several times by being just offside when they looked like scoring. Luis Enrique thought he had put Spain 2-0 up but was given offside too.

Ten minutes into the second half, Niall Quinn replaced Gary Kelly and Damien Duff went out to the right wing. Ireland then became more of a threat going forward and on 61 minutes Duff won a penalty when brought down near the by line inside the penalty area. Ian Harte did not take a great penalty and Cassilas saved it to keep Spain in the lead. Kevin Kilbane could have put in the rebound from Cassilas' save but shot hopelessly wide.
 

Robbie Keane takes the penalty to equalise on 90 minutes
 

Ireland kept attacking and had more chances to score before they were awarded their second penalty of the match on 90 minutes. Hierro pulled Quinn's shirt inside the penalty area and Robbie Keane took the penalty - he scored by putting the ball to Cassilas' right.

In extra time Ireland carried on where they left off at the end of the second half by attacking the Spanish goal and Breen, Keane and Duff could have given Ireland a golden goal.

No more goals were scored in extra time however and in the penalty shootout Keane scored but then Holland, Connelly and Kilbane missed for Ireland. For Spain Hierro and Baraja scored, then Juanfran and Valeron missed. With Spain leading 2-1 in the shootout, Finnan scored for Ireland to bring the scores level - Mendieta took the last of the penalties for Spain and scored by shooting down the centre of the goal - Given almost saved with his legs but Spain won the penalty shootout 3-2 and go onto the quarter finals of the World Cup.

The Republic of Ireland boss, Mick McCarthy said he was very proud of his players and that "we didn't deserve an end like that. We deserved to win in normal time". He also said that "It's very tough for the lads who took penalties and I have no criticism of them at all". Ireland put up a great performance against a strong Spanish side and should be satisfied with all their performances at this World Cup.

Ireland's previous games at the World Cup 2002 were a 1-1 draw against Cameroon, a 1-1 draw against Germany and a 3-0 win against Saudi Arabia.