Town skipper Matt Holland was one of three Irish players to miss penalties as Ireland went out of the World Cup in a shoot-out with Spain. The 90 minutes ended 1-1 with Robbie Keane scoring a last minute penalty after Morientes had put Spain ahead early on. Neither side could manage a goal in golden goal extra time.

Spain won the shoot-out 3-2 with David Connolly and Kevin Kilbane also failing to score for the Irish. Holland took Ireland's second kick and hit the top of the bar after Robbie Keane had scored the first. Steve Finnan converted their final kick before Mendieta beat Shay Given to put the Spanish through.

Ireland can be considered unlucky after a spirited performance and forced two penalties in a second half which saw most of the action towards the Spanish end.

Ian Harte missed the first kick after Duff had been felled in the area, Casillas saving. Kevin Kilbane somehow managed to screw the rebound wide with the goal gaping.

The second penalty came in the last minute when sub Niall Quinn had his shirt pulled by Hierro. Robbie Keane had little trouble in beating the Spanish keeper to give Irish a chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Spain were disappointing, particularly in extra time after both Morientes and Raul had been withdrawn.

Holland's Ireland return home unbeaten while the Spanish will meet the winners of Tuesday's South Korea-Italy game in Gwangju on June 22nd (7.30am).

Photo: Action Images

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