Northern Ireland 0, Spain 2
SPANISH defender Genaro Andrinua plunged Northern Ireland into almost
certain World Cup oblivion after less than three minutes in their Group
six match at Windsor Park, Belfast, last night.
Billy Bingham's men had barely begun building towards the victory they
needed to keep their hopes of competing in the finals in Italy alive
when Spain won a corner off Celtic full-back Anton Rogan's shin. From
the cross Andrinua strode through a near-motionless defence to head past
Allen McKnight.
Baquero was then booked for a foul on Mal Donaghy as the Irish revised
their gameplan. But they were nearly finished off in the 14th minute
from another corner. The ball was headed back across to Michel and
McKnight was relieved to parry away his shot.
The Irish had not scored for 335 minutes before the game and it was a
long time before they threatened to end that drought. But once wingers
Robbie Dennison and Kingsley Black opened up, the Spanish began to rock.
Dennison robbed Jimenez in the 32nd minute to send Kevin Wilson to the
byeline and only Gorriz's tackle prevented Jimmy Quinn from reaching his
cross.
Spain lost full-back Chendo through injury after 39 minutes and within
a minute of substitute Eusebio's appearance, Quinn had found the net.
His effort was disallowed because striker Lawrie Sanchez had fouled a
defender in heading across Danny Wilson's free kick.
Two minutes before the break, Kevin Wilson latched on to a pass from
his namesake Danny and unleashed a snap shot which produced
Zubizaretta's first save of the game. He bettered that in injury time,
flying across his goal to touch aside Kevin Wilson's well-angled header
from Black's free kick.
It was a heartening finish by the Irish, though they still had to be
wary as Michel twice cut in from the right and forced near post saves
from McKnight.
The Irish found it difficult to pick up the thread after the interval
and remained susceptible to the swift counter attacks of the Spanish.
Michel was given another chance in the 51st minute, but McKnight blocked
his shot.
With the World Cup dream dying in front of him, Bingham sent on
Newcastle's Michael O'Neill for Dennison in the 64th minute and then
gambled by recalling dropped-striker Colin Clarke for Danny Wilson.
Manolo, who came on to replace Baquero after 77 minutes., put the seal
on Spain's fourth-consecutive win in the group, sliding home Michel's
cross.
NORTHERN IRELAND -- McKnight (West Ham), Ramsey (Leicester), Rogan
(Celtic), Donaghy (Manchester United), McClelland (Watford), D Wilson
(Luton), Dennison (Wolves), Sanchez (Wimbledon), Quinn (Leicester), K
Wilson (Chelsea), Black (Luton). Substitutes -- Fleming (Nottingham
Forest), Clarke (Southampton), Wright, McCreery, O'Neill (all
Newcastle).
SPAIN -- Zubizarreta, Chendo, Jimenez, Andrinua, Serna, Gorriz,
Baquero, Michel, Butragueno, Roberto, Martin-Vazquez. Substitutes --
Hierro, Biurrun, Eusebio, Manolo, Salinas.
Referee -- D Pauly (West Germany).
GROUP 6
PWDLFAPtSpain Ireland of Ireland
REMAINING FIXTURES
March 8 -- Hungary v Republic of Ireland; March 22 -- Spain v
Malta; April 12 -- Hungary v Malta; April 26 -- Malta v Northern
Ireland, Republic of Ireland Spain; May 28 -- Republic of Ireland v
Malta; June 4 -- Republic of Ireland v Hungary; September 6 -- Northern
Ireland v Hungary; October 11 -- Hungary v Spain, Republic of Ireland v
Northern Ireland; November 15 -- Spain v Hungary, Malta v Republic of
Ireland.
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