International Friendly: Spain thrash Northern Ireland
Spain 5 - 1 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's unbeaten streak of three games came to an end with a 5-1 loss to Spain at Son Moix Stadium.
Michael O'Neill's team made an early impact with Daniel Ballard's header putting them ahead in the second minute. However, Spain's superior quality shone through, particularly in the first half when they scored four goals.
Sixteen-year-old Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal continued to impress, and it was Pedri who equalised for Spain just ten minutes after Northern Ireland's opener.
Spain's Alvaro Morata, another goal from Pedri, and Fabián Ruiz had them leading 4-1 by half-time, with substitute Mikel Oyarzabal adding the final goal in the second half.
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Iconic moments from previous European Championships
Luis de la Fuente's squad now shift their focus to Euro 2024, starting their campaign on 15 June against Croatia.
The match marked the international debut of St Mirren midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce, whose delivery set up Ballard's early goal for Northern Ireland.
Just 69 seconds into the game, Sunderland defender Ballard met Boyd-Munce's teasing cross, sending a header over Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon, who got a hand to the ball but couldn't stop it from going in.
Northern Ireland's lead lasted only ten minutes as Spain dominated possession.
O'Neill's side had worked well despite having limited possession during their recent improved form, particularly against Scotland, but they couldn't relieve the pressure from Spain.
Spain were regaining possession high up the field and pushed their full-backs forward. This created numerous problems for Northern Ireland on the flanks. While Spain's equaliser came from Rodri, who was given too much space in midfield and scored from 25 yards, their most dangerous attacks came from wide deliveries.
Spain went ahead 2-1 in the 19th minute when Jesus Navas delivered a brilliant cross from the right for Morata to nod home off the post. They extended their lead ten minutes later with Nico Williams breaking down the left wing and setting up Pedri.
Five minutes later, Yamal twisted and turned before delivering a perfect ball into the box for Ruiz to finish.
Despite Spain's dominance, Northern Ireland actually had chances to reduce the deficit before the break. Simon could only parry Shea Charles' effort from the edge of the box, but Isaac Price blazed over the rebound after Jamie Reid poked it back to him.
The game lost momentum after several substitutions, and it wasn't until the hour mark that Spain added to their lead in the second half.
Northern Ireland felt they should have been awarded a free-kick before the ball found the net, with Price dispossessed by Yamal. The officials saw nothing wrong, and Yamal's pull-back allowed Oyarzabal to tap in at the near post, following his hat-trick against Andorra earlier in the week.
With their Euro 2024 opener approaching, Spain's intensity waned in the second half, giving Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell less to do.
For Northern Ireland, this was a good opportunity to battle against one of the world's best sides. Attention will soon turn to their upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.
You can watch the highlights of the match in the video below. The footage is from the Premier Sports YouTube account. One YouTuber commented on the video: "La Masia has produced some insane talents."
It will be interesting to see if any of these talents manage to shine on the biggest stage in Germany. Will Spain replicate their success of 2008 and 2012?
