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Spain booked its place in the quarterfinals, Sunday, following a dramatic penalty shootout with Ireland after the game was tied 1:1 after extra time. Ferdinand Morientes opened the scoring for the Spanish in the 8th minute with a well placed header past Shane Given, but soon Ireland were the ones putting on the pressure with Robbie Keane going close on several occasions.
The second half continued with the Irish pressing an increasingly harried looking Spain, who resorted to one off counter attacks. The relentless attacking appeared to have paid off, when Ireland were awarded a penalty midway through the half as Keane was brought down in the area. However, Iker Casillas brilliantly saved from Ian Harte, and Kilbane following up blasted the ball wide of an empty net, when a tap in would have given the Irish the tying goal.
With time running out for Ireland, they were awarded another penalty with Hierro blatantly fouling Niall Quinn and this time Keane hit the ball solidly home. Having used all their substitutes Spain were down to 10 men in extra time and appeared to be looking to hang on for the penalty shoot out.
Casillas saved shots from Connolly and Kilbane, while Holland shot over the bar, as Keane and Steve Finnan scored for Ireland. Spain also had two misses from Juan Carlos Valeron and Juanfran, but goals from Hierro and Baraja tied the scores leaving it to Mendieta to get the winner with the last of the five penalties.
Spain face the winner of the Korea-Italy match played on June 18.
(Chris Price, chris@chosun.com )
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