By Matthew Jones
June 16 2002

Shay Given is on his way home from the World Cup finals after the Republic of Ireland lost to Spain on penalties in the second phase. Ireland went 1-0 down early in the game, and Ian Harte missed from the spot on 63 mins. Shay Given is on his way home from the World Cup finals after the Republic of Ireland lost to Spain on penalties in the second phase. Ireland went 1-0 down early in the game, and Ian Harte missed from the spot on 63 mins.

The enthralling game reached high drama in Suwon only after Fernando Morientes's early header was wiped out by a last-ditch penalty in normal time, converted by Robbie Keane.

The Irish were certainly not overawed and had chances throughout the match, but they could not capitalize on their possession and were almost thwarted by a marginally better team before the late spot-kick excitement.

Spain took the lead less than 10 minutes into the game as a result of their first real attack of any quality. Puyol got the ball on the right flank and his cross into the box evaded the Irish defence and was flighted nicely for the poorly-marked Morientes, who glanced it past Shay Given for a neat headed goal and his third of the tournament.

Ireland continued to have plenty of possession up to the break, but with no cutting edge or killer ball the strikers were left isolated and the Spanish always looked dangerous. The referee's assistant saved McCarthy's men on several occasions in the first half as he denied Luis Enrique a goal and deemed attack after Spanish attack to be offside.

After the interval the story was largely the same until the 61st minute, when Damien Duff drifted into the box from the right only to be felled by Juanfran, who was booked for his troubles. Out-of-form Leeds man Harte bravely stepped up for that penalty-kick but his shot lacked any conviction and Iker Casillas was able to save to his right.
And so it seemed fate was with the Spanish until the very last moments of the game, when referee Anders Frisk saw Fernando Hierro tugging at substitute Niall Quinn in the box. The Swedish official adjudged the experienced defender to have fouled Quinn, and the Irish had another chance from the spot.

This time Keane, who had had an impressive game, took responsibility, with Harte off the pitch, and the striker tucked the ball away cleanly to send the Irish supporters crazy and the team into extra-time.

With the possibility of a golden goal now on the cards the game opened up nicely and first Kenny Cunningham slid in to deny Luque, then Ireland came close but Gary Breen's shot was gathered by Casillas.

Then came the cruel penalty drama, with Keane and Steve Finnan both converting fine kicks, but the rest of the Irish lads could not match them and Gaizka Mendieta sealed the shoot-out for Spain with a 3-2 score.

Spain will now play either Italy or co-hosts South Korea in the quarter-finals next Saturday morning, while the Republic are left to stew on a fine performance but a cruel finish to their tournament as they fly home.