Exposed by a team of awesome quality

Just two minutes into last night’s match, Andres Iniesta was given ample space and time to turn on the ball without any pressure and then pick a through pass for Xavi, who was just yards from the Irish box.

In most other international games they’ve played since effectively declaring their hand at Euro 2008, Spain have been denied that option.

Opposition sides have long realised that the only way to have any chance against them is to congest that supply line by throwing in bodies. It was the root of repeated Champions League final defeats for Manchester United against Barcelona.

Last night, however, it set a tone. In many miserable senses for Ireland.

Literally moments later, David Silva was found with an almost identical pass. Again, Ireland just about managed to desperately block out the defender. But, this time, the ball fell to Fernando Torres.

Although his finish was exceptional — and certainly not one of a striker who is low on confidence — it shouldn’t be forgotten he was allowed carry the ball into the box almost clumsily.

First off, let’s get one thing straight. It was always going to be a near impossible task to get anything out of last night.

Indeed, even a draw might well have been a historically freak occurrence. But, as with the general debate around Giovanni Trapattoni, there are still elements you can criticise while accepting he’s done a good job to get the team this far.

Indeed, his two biggest errors were encapsulated in Torres’ goal.

First, Ireland didn’t use the extra energy of Paris to step up and fill the gaps of their 4-4-2.

Second, there was an awful sloppiness that simply isn’t associated with supposedly defensively durable sides. As was said against Croatia, the key to basing your game on solidity is actually being solid.

At various stages throughout the first half, too, John O’Shea’s words on Tuesday sounded prescient: “The team shape is going to be so important. We’re going to have to keep it because they can cut you open. Staying with the runners and not following the ball are going to be massive things.”

The absence of them led to a massive scoreline. After the initial mistake, admittedly, it is difficult to criticise either Ireland or Trapattoni.

Because, whatever about Ireland not having beaten many sides ranked above them in competitive games, this Spanish team have not failed to win a match in which they’ve gone ahead since 2006.

The reasons for that were clear. Once they are allowed put themselves in front, they can start to play the ball around as much as they want, without the pressure of having to force a match or chase a win.

A further effect of that, and one that really does put this Spanish team on another level, is how it absolutely exhausts the opposition. With not even 40 minutes left on the clock, the ball fell to Simon Cox at a dangerous position just outside the Spanish box. He miscontrolled, though, with his movement already seeming to betray someone who was just out of breath.

Again, it’s nothing to do with fitness. It’s to do with fatigue from chasing a ball for that long.

As such, you can also make certain allowances for the fact that Ireland conceded just after kick-off for the fourth half in a row.

Against Croatia, it was borne of error. Here, for Spain’s inevitable second through Silva, it was borne of excellence.

That excellence did, occasionally, give way to indulgence. Even when it was only 1-0, Spain were attempting some outrageous flicks. Shortly after their second, Torres even tried to backheel the ball into the net.

In truth, it was sobering viewing. This is how it feels to be an Austria 2008 or a Honduras 2010 in an international tournament.

Ireland, of course, haven’t felt anything like that way since Steve Staunton’s time. But then that team never played a side of this quality. It’s arguable that the country never have.

The true difference between the teams was exposed in the final quarter. With Ireland exhausted, the game fully open and Spain revelling in the rare space, Torres was allowed further boost his confidence before his replacement Cesc Fabregas skipped through to drill home.

By then, Ireland were not just out of breath or out of depth. They were, not unexpectedly, long out of the tournament.

In that, Trapattoni has by no means been found out. But, last night, he did strike out.