Euro 2004 qualifying match

N. Ireland 0 - Spain 0

A disastrous four days for Spain ended with a 0-0 draw at Windsor Park in Northern Ireland, a result which leaves them down below Greece in second place in their group. After their home defeat against the Greeks on Saturday, Iñaki Sáez's side needed to win this game to hold on to top spot. With the Irish failing to score in their last ten games it did not seem such a hard task, but Casillas had to be at his best to save from Doherty and McCartney in the opening minutes. Finally the Spaniards got a grip, but Taylor saved well from Raúl and Etxeberría and the teams went in level at the break. Healy should have beaten Casillas after the restart though, and Sáez finally brought on Morientes and Joaquín to try and make a break through. But Taylor was there again to save from Raúl, and a packed defence fought tooth and nail to protect the result in a frantic last few minutes. Spain may now have to play a tricky play-off in November to qualify for the finals, but before that they have to hold off Ukraine in Autumn. It is currently touch and go whether Sáez will still be in charge by then. (11.06.03)