Daniel Ballard’s early goal had Northern Ireland dreaming of an upset but it turned into a sobering night in Mallorca as Spain ran out 5-1 winners in their final Euro 2024 tune-up.
Ballard headed Michael O’Neill’s team into a shock lead just 70 seconds in, but once Pedri had levelled from long range 10 minutes later, Spain piled on the punishment for a young Northern Ireland side.
O’Neill had preached the importance of shape and discipline in a game where Northern Ireland knew they would have little of the ball, but time and again Spain had too much time and space as Alvaro Morata and Fabian Ruiz scored either side of Pedri’s second to make it 4-1 before half-time.
It''s all over here in Mallorca.
A disappointing result but we wish Spain all the best in Germany at UEFA EURO 2024 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/VgIQjv1QgN
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 8, 2024
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal added a fifth in a subdued second half as Spanish minds turned to their Euro 2024 opener against Croatia in a week’s time, and Northern Ireland looked to Tuesday’s friendly against Andorra to relieve their frustrations.
They had begun so brightly, instantly getting stuck in to the Spanish players as they showed the confidence from two wins and a draw in their last three.
Inside the opening minute, Conor Bradley dispossessed Robin Le Normand who resorted to a tug of the shirt. Debutant Caolan Boyd-Munce floated in the free-kick and Ballard leapt to nod it into the top corner.
Spain – particularly Le Normand – looked rattled, and the Real Sociedad defender was booked five minutes in for another foul on the lively Bradley. Moments later, Shea Charles’ cross almost fell for Isaac Price but the angle was too tight.
It took Pedri to settle the Spanish ship. The Barcelona midfielder dropped into a pocket of space between the Northern Ireland lines and was too easily allowed to turn before beating Bailey Peacock-Farrell from 25 yards – the 21-year-old’s first international goal.
Five minutes later, former Manchester City man Jesus Navas whipped in a first-time cross and captain Alvaro Morata flicked it in off the far post for his first goal in seven internationals.
A promising run from Bradley was then cut short when Charles stumbled in his path on the edge of the box.
It was the sort of chance Northern Ireland could not afford to squander and Spain were quickly to the other end, with Pedri getting his second in the 29th minute. Again it was too easy, with Nico Williams cutting the ball back and Pedri in space to finish.
O’Neill responded by sending his substitutes to warm up, but that merely afforded them a better view of Spain’s fourth, with a superb ball from Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal allowing Fabian to head beyond the exposed Peacock-Farrell.
Northern Ireland burst forward in first-half stoppage time, but after Charles’ shot was parried, Jamie Reid pulled the ball back only to watch Price sky it into the stands.
Corry Evans came on at half-time, making his first international appearance since September 2022 following serious injury and playing alongside brother Jonny for the 50th time in the national team.
For the best part of quarter of an hour Northern Ireland stemmed the tide as the game drifted, but the fifth Spain goal came in embarrassing fashion in the 59th minute, when Yamal took the ball off Price and squared for substitute Oyarzabal to beat Peacock-Farrell with a mis-hit shot.
There was a rare chance for Northern Ireland in the 73rd minute when substitute Dale Taylor sprung the offside trap before squaring it to Price, but his shot was palmed away by Unai Simon.
At the other end, there was a big let off when former Stoke man Joselu blazed over from close range, but the damage had long since been done.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Don't give up on the Premier League Dungeon Bro, Darwin Arsenal transfer market These are the same fans who say Auckland City didn't deserve to be in the Club World Cup.Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup: 4/4 through to the round of 16Argentinian teams at the Club World Cup: 0/2 through to the round of 16 lol This is what referees have to watch for 90 minutes....
Barcelona attacking midfielder Pablo Torre is closing in on a transfer to Mallorca after agreeing terms with the LaLiga club, a source has confirmed to ESPN.Mallorca and Torre's entourage held a meeting on Thursday, in which an agreement was reached with the player, who is attracted by Mallorca's project, a source said.The news was first reported by Marca.In the coming days, Mallorca will contact ...
Arsenal are in talks to sign Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, sources have told ESPN.Mosquera, 20, has made 73 LaLiga appearances in the last two seasons and sources said Arsenal are well positioned to beat off competition to the defender, who is a Spain youth international but also eligible for Colombia.RB Leipzig are also interested and Valencia have tried to renew Mosquera's contract, b...
Gyokeres makes transfer U-turn amid Man Utd and Arsenal interestViktor Gyokeres has made a transfer U-turn as he aims to force a move to Manchester United or Arsenal this summer.It had originally been assumed that Gyokeres would favour a move to Arsenal of the two English clubs, with Champions League football on offer at the Emirates. However the Gunners' continued pursuit of Benjamin Sesko from R...
Real Betis interest grows in Barrenechea’s: We have to decide if Unai wants to keep him...Aston Villa midfielder Barrenechea is attracting attention this summer as manager Unai Emery makes a decision regarding his future.Barrenechea continues to attract attention after impressing on loan at Valencia since August, namely from Real Betis. Midfield maestro, Johnny Cardoso, who seems destined fo...
Milos Kerkez opens up on Liverpool move: I think it should be every kid's dreamLiverpool signing Milos Kerkez has opened up on his move to the club this summer and why he chose the Reds over every other side.Liverpool completed the signing of Kerkez from the Cherries in a deal worth 340M as manager Arne Slot build a team fit to challenge for the Premier League title once again. The Hungary interna...
Trafford has "fully agreed personal terms with Newcastle" ahead of summer moveNewcastle United are closing in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford who has agreed personal terms with the club.Burnley reportedly value Trafford at around 340million, which would make the 22-year-old the fifth most expensive goalkeeper of all time as the Magpies chase down their first signing of the summer transfer window...
Vivianne Miedema scored her 98th and 99th international goalsFinland Women lost their five-match unbeaten run on the eve of the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship thanks to a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in a warm-up friendly before the tournament.The homes side's opening goal in Leeuwarden was a gift from the Finnish defence - in the 11th minute, Oona Siren gave the ball away cheaply inside...
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli is challenged by Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian NorgaardIn order not to get left behind in the transfer market this summer, Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board appear to be making various moves which could have a significant and positive impact for them in 2025/26.To date, since the Spaniard took over in the Emirates Stadium dugout, the Gunners have always bee...
Al Ain's Laba Kodjo Fodoh (centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's first goalAl Ain ended their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Wydad at Audi Field in Washington in just the third-ever meeting between a team from Morocco and one from the Middle East.Both teams knew their fate prior to kick-off - even a win would not be enough to see them progres...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 7 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 8 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 9 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025
- 10 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal