Spain took a sledgehammer to Ireland’s Euros dream by powering into the semis with two goals in three ruthless second-half minutes.
Colin O’Brien’s young charges exit the tournament with heads held high - but can have no complaints with this defeat.
Spain boasted players from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid but only led 1-0 until the closing 20 minutes.
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Ireland were game, yet Spain were always the dominant side with nine shots on target compared to Ireland’s one.
And while the young Boys in Green refused to bow, they just couldn’t capitalise on their handful of forays whereas Spain showed them how it’s done.
Two goals in three minutes saw to that but Ireland boss O’Brien said: “I’m immensely proud of them.
“We got out of a very tricky group after a tough opener and we pitted ourselves against a top nation in world football, not just European football.
“Even at youth level, they’re on a different level. We tried to stay in the game, we tried to carry a threat, but there was a lot of tired action at times.
“They will be disappointed but this is all part and parcel of their development and I’m sure they’ll be better for it.”
And O’Brien added: “They did themselves, their families and their nation proud.”
Spanish star Lamine Yamal is only 15 but has already made his senior debut for Barcelona in La Liga and showed why he’s so highly regarded.
He scored Spain’s third goal, but got them motoring by assisting Alejandro Granados’ sensational opener from distance after 23 minutes.
The Orlando City midfielder latched onto Yamal’s square ball and took two touches before unleashing a bending shot high into Jason Healy’s net
In committing so many bodies forward, Spain offered Ireland chances to probe in behind.
But despite Naj Razi’s enthusiasm, the Boys in Green just couldn’t generate enough punch in the final third.
Spain, on the other hand, piled forward at will and Ireland were relieved to see Barcelona’s Juan Hernández fire over before the break.
And Healy then saved at close range to thwart Javier Fernandez with Ireland growing in confidence early in that second-half.
But it was short-lived as Spain struck with a brutal double-whammy to floor Ireland.
Freddie Turley disrupted a Spanish attack on the edge of the Irish box but his attempted one-two with Razi was intercepted.
Barcelona’s Marc Guiu tapped home from close range before Yamal got the goal he deserved, cutting in from the right to curl a low shot home beyond Healy.
Ireland skipper Turley said: “Most of the Spanish lads are playing at Barca and Real and most of us are playing in the League of Ireland.
“People might not think it’s the best quality but we showed here we can put it up to anyone.
“We came into this game with 100% confidence that we would get over the line, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”
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