Euro 2012: Spain vs Republic of Ireland - Live on ITV 1

By Chris Deacon / June 14, 2012

Venue: PGE Arena, Gdansk, Poland Kick-Off: 19:45 BST At the 2002 World Cup, the last major tournament that they qualified for, the Irish were put out by Spain on penalties in the Last 16. After losing 3-1 in their opening game against Croatia, Giovanni Trapattoni's men know that once again their fate lies with the Spanish.

Injury News

Spain could be forced to play an orthodox striker in tonight's match, following signs that Cesc Fabregas won't be able to shake off a thigh injury he picked up against Italy. Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland look set to field the same starting eleven as last Sunday. Defender Richard Dunne was suffering from blisters at training in the week but has recovered well enough to start the match in Gdansk. Shay Given also missed some of the early sessions but is primed to start his second game of the tournament.

Preview

Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane all know what it feels like to go out to Spain. All four were present a decade ago when the Irish were knocked out of the Last 16 on penalties. In what might be the last major tournament for some of them, it's do or die once again. It could all come down to a tale of two goalkeepers. Iker Casillas and Shay Given have 255 caps between them, with both players involved in the previous meeting between the two sides. On that occasion Casillas, then just 21 years old, saved Ian Harte's spot-kick to send Spain through. This time around, there won't be a chance for penalties, a draw would mean everything to Ireland. After losing their opening game to Croatia, the first time the Irish have ever conceded three in one EC game, there isn't much hope of qualification. To achieve that the Greens would have to win their remaining fixtures, and victory tonight is a very tough task to start with. Spain haven't been beaten competitively by Ireland since April 1989, when Jack Charlton's World Cup Qualifying squad won 1-0 at Lansdowne Road after an own goal from Michel.

Statistics

Ireland have never lost back-to-back matches at a major tournament. The Irish have also never won their second group match at a major tournament, their previous results being three draws and a defeat. Spain's last nine goals at World or European Finals have all been scored by Barcelona players, the tenth was Fernando Torres of Liverpool in 2008. In their last game, Xavi became only the second player to complete over 100 passes in a European Championship match for Spain - the first person was Pep Guardiola.

Likely Tactics

SPAIN (4-3-3): Casillas (GK); Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Xabi Alonso; David Silva, Torres, Iniesta REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (4-4-2): Given (GK); O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward; Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady; Keane, Doyle