A torrid night in torrential rain and Fernando Torres arrived at Euro 2012 to send the Republic of Ireland home.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s team became the first to crash out of the European Championships after world champions Spain crushed them and led them a merry dance in Gdansk.

Once Torres had fired the Spaniards into a fourth-minute lead, Vicente del Bosque’s side were on their way to a straight-forward victory, for all Ireland’s bluster, resolve and spirit.

On the charge: Fernando Torres outpaces Richard Dunne before slotting past Shay Given to make it 3-0

And with a tough Croatia side next on Monday, Europe’s defending champions had the chance to use this game for shooting practice. So they did.

Torres got a second before del Bosque deprived him of a hat-trick, David Silva slotted one in past a wall of green and Cesc Fabregas came on for Torres to grab his second of the week. It was as embarrassing and humiliating as anyone feared.

Poor Ireland, who now have nothing to play for against Trapattoni’s native Italy on Monday, are out of a major tournament after two games for the first time.

But they did exceed even their own expectations by reaching the finals in the first place, back among the elite of European countries for the first time since 1988 when Jack’s Army had stunned England, and the rest of the continent.

It was 10 long years since the 2002 World Cup. And last night the World Cup holders showed they are light years ahead of a side who blew Estonia away in the play-offs.

Ireland may have arrived in Poland on the back of a 14-game unbeaten run and under
Trapattoni’s methodical coaching been transformed into a rigid defensive unit, driven by sheer will and determination. But this was the big stage, and after the finals draw in Kiev, arguably the toughest test for any Irish team.

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