Spain - 3 Northern Ireland - 0:EURO 2004 QUALIFYING: Sammy McIllroy will return to the Northern Ireland dugout for Wednesday night's vital Euro 2004 qualifier against Ukraine after serving a one-match touchline and dressing-room ban.
McIlroy could only watch in frustration as his side went down to an impressive-looking Spain side on Saturday evening.
The Spanish team were never in full flow but they never had to be as their sharp movement and quick passing destroyed Northern Ireland's pattern of play.
Preston striker David Healy, who was dropped to the bench for the first time in his international career on Saturday, insists they have to take something from Wednesday's match after losing their opening game of the qualifying campaign.
"We have to take all the positives out of the display against Spain, we did pass the ball very well and I'm sure we can build on that."
"On a personal level I just hope to be involved as I was bitterly disappointed to be left out against Spain, but I can't really expect to command a starting place if I'm not playing every week at club level."
McIlroy sprang a surprise by deploying Blackburn Rovers winger Keith Gillespie as a lone striker in the hope his trickery and pace would trouble the Spanish back line.
After 20 seconds it looked an inspired decision as the former Manchester United man was full of energy and saw his looping shot saved by goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
But Spain quickly turned on the style and on 19 minutes deservedly went ahead when Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja opened the scoring.
Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maik Taylor came for a cross but then hesitated and, when Colin Murdock failed to clear, Baraja headed inside the post.
Spain doubled their lead on 59 minutes when Real Madrid's Guti was on hand to head home after another error in the Northern Ireland penalty area, this time from Phil Mulryne.
With a minute remaining Spain completed the convincing win when Baraja grabbed his second of the evening with a low drive past the helpless Taylor.
McIlroy said: "The Ukraine game will be just as difficult but we have to cut out all needless mistakes.
"I was very frustrated by the way we lost to Spain but I'm not at all disappointed with my players' commitment and effort."
SPAIN: Casillas; Salgado, Raul Bravo, Guti (Capi, 83), Puyol, Helguera, Raul (Morientes, 63), Baraja, Joaquin (Mendieta, 75), Xavi, Vicente.
NORTHERN IRELAND: Taylor, A Hughes, McCartney, Taggart (McCann, 70), Murdock, Lomas, Gillespie, Mulryne, Johnson, McVeigh (Healy, 65), Horlock (M Hughes, 65).
Referee: L Michel (Slovenia).
