The Republic of Ireland will face Spain in the last 16 of the World Cup after the Spaniards topped Group B with a 3-2 victory over South Africa today.
A two-goal strike by Spain's stand-in skipper Raul helped send South Africa crashing out of the tournament.
Raul's winning header on 56 minutes deprived South Africa of the point they needed to guarantee a first ever place in the second round of the World Cup after the Africans had twice bravely fought back to equalise.
Spain, who had already qualified for the last 16, finished top of Group B with a 100 per cent record and now face a second round match against Ireland on Sunday.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, the narrow 3-2 scoreline looked like being enough to see the 'Bafana Bafana' squeeze into the last 16 by goal difference.
But Paraguay's dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Group B whipping boys Slovenia in Seogwipo saw the South Africans eliminated by virtue of fewer goals scored. Paraguay scored six in their three games to South Africa's five.
South Africa had twice clawed their way back to level with equalising goals from Benni McCarthy and Lucas Radebe but Spain settled the match when Raul bagged his second of the match.
Spain had taken the lead twice in the first half, with Raul opening the scoring in the opening minutes and Mendieta curling in a free kick right on half-time after McCarthy's equaliser.
AFP