Iniesta issues warning to North

ANDRES INIESTA has warned Northern Ireland to expect no favours from Spain when the two nations clash decisively in Las Palmas on Wednesday.

The pressure is off the Spanish after they booked their spot in next year’s finals with a crushing 3-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday.

Northern Ireland must beat Spain in the Canary Islands and hope that Latvia can beat Sweden in order for Nigel Worthington’s side to qualify, but Iniesta insists Spain still have everything to play for.

Not only is there first place in the group still up for grabs, with Spain two points in front of the Swedes, but they will also be determined to put on a good show for their fans.

“We want to play the same as this game in Las Palmas and give a victory to our fans,” said Iniesta.

“It will be a good time to try and play some good football with the objective of qualifying already obtained and the possibility of winning to finish first in the group.

“We have had some difficult situations, because of some unwanted results (in qualifying), but nobody imagined a European Championship without Spain and we have taken this final step to get there.”

Iniesta netted his side’s second goal against Sweden at the Bernabeu, while another player to get on the scoresheet, Joan Capdevila, also insists they want to end their qualifying campaign on a high note.

“We will fight for first place in the group,” the left-back said.

Midfielder David Albelda insists his side want to keep their unbeaten 11-match run intact.

“We are in our best moment, as much in attack as in defence. It will be important to continue in this vein of form and go into the European Championships with confidence high,” said Albelda.

Luis Aragones, the Spain manager, has reiterated his desire to quit his post after Euro 2008. “I’m like milk,” said Aragones, who has been subjected to fierce criticism from the Spanish media.

“Once it’s gone past its expiry date you can’t drink it anymore.”