SOCCER Euro 2008 Qualifier: Spain 1 Northern Ireland 0Northern Ireland's Euro 2008 qualification hopes fizzled out last night as a deflected Spain goal condemned them to defeat in Gran Canaria.
Xavi's fortuitous second-half strike brought Northern Ireland's dreams to an end while Sweden beat Latvia 2-1 to rule out the North's hopes anyway.
The North ended their thrilling campaign on a relative low, with Xavi's long-range drive careering off Sammy Clingan's head to wrong-foot Maik Taylor.
An unlikely victory in Gran Canaria combined with Latvia beating Sweden would have seen them secure a place in Euro 2008 and end their long absence from a major finals.
Manager Nigel Worthington made two changes to his side as they faced their night of destiny.
Chris Baird and Ivan Sproule returned as Jonny Evans and Keith Gillespie were both suspended.
Northern Ireland's hopes rested mainly with striker David Healy, who was looking to improve on his record 13-goal tally in the qualifying campaign.
The North had good vocal backing for this crucial fixture - over 4,000 supporters made the trip to Gran Canaria.
Spain started brightly and Xavi cracked a shot wide of Taylor's post after two minutes. The home side had loud claims for a penalty waved away by referee Herbert Fandel in the seventh minute after David Silva went to ground after a challenge from Stephen Craigan.
Spain were having the majority of possession and passing the ball with the confidence of a nation that had secured their place in the finals with one match to spare.
Northern Ireland, however, responded in the 17th minute when Healy typically made space for himself only to see his effort from distance go over the bar.
There was little respite, however, and Sergio Ramos found the side-netting in the 21st minute following a neat through ball from Cesc Fabregas.
The conditions were certainly different to what they were in Belfast at the weekend when Denmark were defeated in torrential rain. Last night the temperature was a balmy 20 degrees.
Spain stepped up the pressure and Taylor got down quickly to smother a shot from Daniel Guiza. Then a minute later Sergio Ramos came within inches of making the breakthrough, only for Clingan to clear off the line.
Northern Ireland were beginning to pick up the pace of the game with Chris Brunt finding space on the left. The West Brom winger was wasting no time in delivering the ball into the area for Healy and his strike partner.
Fabregas then sprung into life after 38 minutes and the Arsenal midfielder stung Taylor's fingers with a rasping drive from 20 yards.
The home crowd, though, were becoming a little bit frustrated by their team's inability to break the deadlock despite some neat play.
Taylor then did well in the 40th minute to claw away a cross from Andres Iniesta after it took a sudden deflection.
Northern Ireland were again on the back foot two minutes later when Gareth McAuley reacted quickly to clear Guiza's effort.
Spain went ahead in the 53rd minute with Northern Ireland cursing their luck. Taylor seemed to have Xavi's 25-yard effort covered but he was left wrong-footed after it took a deflection off Craigan.
SPAIN: Reina, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Pablo, Pernia, Iniesta, Xavi (Villa 67), Fabregas (Joaquin 47), Senna, Silva, Guiza (Tamudo 57). Subs not used: Casillas, Puyol, Albelda, Riera. Goal: Xavi 52.
NORTHERN IRELAND: Taylor, McAuley, Craigan, Hughes, Baird, Sproule (Robinson 61), Clingan, Davis, Brunt (Lafferty 59), Healy, Feeney (Paterson 72). Subs not used: Mannus, Webb, Capaldi, Hamilton. Booked: Healy, Lafferty.
Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany).
