Players left in awe of Spain’s terrible beauty

Rarely has a final whistle been met with such relief.

For most of the game, it was impossible not to swoon in appreciation at the football being played by Vicente De Bosque’s side but every single attack in that last 10 minutes evinced nothing more than winces and grimaces from those Irish watching.

The sight of a pass bouncing over Aiden McGeady’s toe and into touch in the dying moments said it all about the sheer exhaustion and demoralisation pervading the green ranks. It was beautiful and terrible all in one.

“At times we tried to play football,” said McGeady, “but it is difficult in games like that where you are working so hard to try and get the ball back and when you do get it you are almost out of breath and trying to do something with it.

“They are the best I have played against: international, Champions League, anything. Every single one of their players are comfortable on the ball. They always have an option five yards or 10 yards away. If I wasn’t playing that’s the team I would want to be watching.”

Giovanni Trapattoni’s decision to start with Simon Cox in a role between the midfield and Robbie Keane met with surprise and criticism but, while the manager’s selection demands some analysis going forward, it was not the winning or losing of this game.

There was no shame in losing or how it happened last night. Spain’s usual failure to match their dominance and possession statistics with the accompanying glut of goals is well-stated but there are times like last night when they have cut loose.

South Korea were put away 4-1 recently, Venezuela had five put past them while Russia fell to 4-1 and 3-0 defeats against La Roja in Euro 2008, the tournament in which the perennial underachievers announced themselves as the game’s rising force.

Nevertheless, this was Spain’s biggest win in a major tournament since they put four past Ukraine in Leipzig six years ago and, for all Ireland’s shortcomings, would suggest that they are eminently capable of reclaiming their European title.

“We probably didn’t help ourselves by going 1-0 down so early,” said McGeady. “It’s been the same story both games. There’s not much more I can say but if they don’t win the tournament I will be very, very surprised. They are a very strong team.”

You felt for the players — and the supporters too. Our memories of glorious summers past have been dominated by sun-baked days in Stuttgart and New Jersey but even the weather neglected to play its part in Poznan and here in Gdansk.

“It’s been horrible,” said Cox, “especially the Croatia result. We thought we’d get something from that. Everyone wrote us off for this one — this wasn’t the one we were looking to get a result from. But especially after the first result we felt we could get something from this.”

Now, here they are with four more days to fill and qualification already beyond them. They have lived in hotels for long enough now but every single day will feel like a prison sentence and the day after the Italian fixture as a belated release.

Yet, it’s not in them to say so. Professional pride and respect for supporters who have travelled from all corners of the country, the continent and the globe at large demands that they front up against Italy. Giovanni Trapattoni will demand as much, too.

Cox revealed afterwards that the players had spoken of the Italian game in the dressing-room within minutes of coming off the field and promised a “gutsy and a proud” performance.

“We have to get something,” said McGeady. “A lot of people came here to watch us play and the fans were great again but it is demoralising because you come to the Euros, one of the biggest stages, to do well and get some points on the board.

“We are obviously in a very tough group but there is still one game left. We don’t want to go home with no points. It is going to be another tough game but I don’t think it will be as tough as that.”