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The net result: Ireland outclassed
Well, you hardly expected Spain to bail us out.
By Conall Ó Fatharta, Gdansk
The world and European champions delivered a footballing masterclass in Gdansk last night to humiliate Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland and send them packing from Euro 2012. Fernando Torres helped himself to two goals in a 4-0 landslide that saw Ireland lose two games in the group stages of a major tournament for the first time.
Once again, the Republic made a calamitous start, conceding a goal in less than five minutes. Midfielder Keith Andrews admitted “we shot ourselves in the foot”.
“They were silly goals and we didn’t learn, but they’re such a top side any lapse in concentration is going to hurt you. For the majority of the game we were chasing shadows and we couldn’t get near them. They are a fantastic side.”
But if the sight of Spain’s superiority was painful, the sounds of the astonishing Irish support teeming down from the stands offered a crumb of inspiration for Ireland’s outclassed players.
Andrews added: “The fans were an absolute credit to their country and unfortunately we have not been able to give them what they deserved. We’re playing [against Italy] purely for the fans and for our own pride. They’ve travelled in their thousands. With seven or eight minutes to go all you can hear is the Irish fans and we’re losing three or 4-0.”
Not that it would have impressed frustrated former skipper Roy Keane, who told ITV last night: “It’s time we stopped going along for the sing-song.”
He added: “I think the players and supporters have to change their mentality. It’s just nonsense to say how great the supporters are. The supporters want to see the players do a lot better and not give daft goals away like that.
“Let’s change that attitude towards Irish supporters. Let’s not kid ourselves, they want to see their team winning, Let’s not just go along for the sing-song now and again.”
Keane also criticised the Irish performance, insisting: “It was a wake-up call for these players. The goals they gave away at any level were absolutely shocking.”
Vicente del Bosque’s matadors changed the pace and intensity of the goading as they pleased. Cesc Fabregas came on for Spain and netted a fourth. For Ireland, Trapattoni gave fan favourite James McClean his 15 minutes of fame and then reverted to type by introducing Paul Green. Perhaps he saw irony in the surname.
Ireland have now conceded seven goals in Euro 2012, more than in the group stages for Euro ’88, Italia ’90, and USA ’94 combined.
Despite Ireland’s early exit, the FAI will still pocket at least €8m from Uefa, with the incentive of another €1m if they beat Italy in their final game on Monday.
More than 32,000 Republic supporters were in Gdansk last night and the estimated 20,000 who made it into the stadium for kick-off roared themselves hoarse in the vain hope of unnerving Spain and inspiring the Republic.
“The Irish supporters have been the story of Euro 2012,” reckoned FAI chief John Delaney last night. “When Uefa general secretary, Gianni Infantino, saw the sea of green in Poznan last Sunday night, he just went ‘wow’.
“Off the field, from an administration point of view, it has all come together very well. There was a time after Saipan when the FAI brand was toxic. Now it is viewed in a very positive way at home and at UEFA level.”
Not that any of that will be of consolation to the players, their loyal-to-the-end band of followers — or Roy Keane.