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Spain break Irish hearts on penalties

Spanish hero Casillas saves Harte's penalty to keep the score at 1-0

SUWON, South Korea -- Spain has won a quarterfinal place in the World Cup after the tournament's first penalty competition.

A thrilling match and a gutsy performance by opponents Republic of Ireland went to penalties after the score at the end of 120 minutes of fast and furious football remained 1-1.

Match favourites Spain seemed to have had the game sewn up after just eight minutes with a Fernando Morientes goal from a Carles Puyol cross from the right.

But the Irish refused to give up hope and lived up to their 'never-say-die' reputation by equalising with a 90th minute penalty -- Ireland's second after Ian Harte sqandered the first in the 62nd minute -- which was converted by Robbie Keane.

The 30 minutes of extra-time proved as fast and furious as the first 90 with Ireland looking the most dangerous.

But the golden goal never came and it was left to the lottery of penalties which Spain won 3-2 after Ireland's Matt Holland, David Connolly and Kevin Kilbane failed with their spot kicks.

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved two of them.

Morientes heads Spain in front

In the end it was Spain's Gaizka Mendieta who stepped up to put Spain into the last eight and they now face either co-hosts South Korea or Italy next Saturday.

Ireland had entered Sunday's clash as the underdogs to Spain, who had comfortably won their group games and had yet to be seriously tested in this World Cup.

However, the Irish seemed unphased by their billing and initially proved to be an equal match, with Keane breaking down the left only to bend a shot just wide of the target.

Despite having the best of the early possession, Morientes gave Spain a perfect start, putting them ahead with his third goal in four World Cup games.

That early goal posed the question whether the Irish could survive the test and both prevent a second goal and stage a comeback.

Possibly buoyed by the fact that they conceded early goals against Cameroon and Germany, but fought back to level each time, Ireland proved their could and remained confident.

While Spain remained dangerous on the quick break, they were caught offside all the time.

The combination of Morientes, Raul and Luis Enrique particularly caused problem, not least when only Morientes being caught offside cancelled out what could have been his second goal.

Ireland's hope for a reward seemed over when a first penalty, given when Spanish defender Juanfran was judged to have tripped Damien Duff, was kicked by Harte at Casillas while Kevin Kilbane failed to take advantage of the rebound.

Spain Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Fernando Hierro, Ivan Helguera, Juanfran, Luis Enrique, Ruben Baraja, Juan Carlos Valeron, Javi de Pedro, Raul, Fernando Morientes

Rep of Ireland Shay Given, Steve Finnan, Gary Breen, Steve Staunton, Ian Harte, Gary Kelly, Matt Holland, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane

Referee : Anders Frisk (Sweden)