Northern Ireland Euro dream ends
Healy still finished top scorer in the qualifying stages
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Wednesday, 21, Nov 2007 10:51
Northern Ireland have failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after losing 1-0 to Spain in Gran Canaria.
Nigel Worthington's men put up a brave display but were beaten when Hernandez Xavi's shot deflected off Stephen Craigan, wrong-footing Maik Taylor and finding the back of the net.
Spain dominated proceedings but could not find the finish that their approach work and territorial ascendancy deserved.
Xavi was the first to try his luck after two minutes and the home side also saw penalty claims waived away by the referee following Craigan's errant challenge on winger David Silva.
Northern Ireland's best goal threat came from David Healy midway through the half, but he saw his effort from the edge of the box go narrowly over the bar.
Seven minutes into the second period Spain finally broke the deadlock. Taylor looked to have Xavi's long-range effort covered but the deflection off Craigan left him stranded.
Silva wasted a chance to double Spain's lead two minutes later but shot wide from an inviting angle.
As it transpired Northern Ireland's efforts in Las Palmas would have been in vain anyway after Sweden beat Latvia 2-1 in Stockholm to secure a place in next summer's tournament.
Former Aston Villa striker Marcus Allback gave Sweden the lead in the opening minute but the visitors equalised midway through the first half through Juris Laizans.
Kim Kallstrom got Sweden's winner in the 57th minute as they secured second place in the group behind Spain with Northern Ireland a creditable third.