Olympics 2024: Ireland miss first chance to qualify with Spain shootout defeat

Ireland looked the more threatening side for most of the contest in Valencia

Ireland missed their first chance to qualify for the Olympics when they lost a shootout 3-0 to Spain after the game finished goalless in Valencia.

The Irish will now face Great Britain in the third/fourth-place play-off on Saturday, with the winners claiming the final Paris spot.

In a tight game, Ireland did not allow the hosts a shot on goal or a penalty corner in the 60 minutes.

But they failed to take their chances and Spain won the shootout with ease.

Roisin Upton, Sarah Hawkshaw and Hannah McLoughlin all had their efforts saved by Spanish goalkeeper Clara Perez.

After missing their first effort, Lucia Jimenez and Julia Strappato beat Ayeisha McFerran to set Spain on their way to victory before skipper Marcia Lopez wrapped up victory with a cheeky lobbed finish over the goalkeeper.

"I think we dominated the game and I'm incredibly proud of the character we showed," said Ireland captain Katie Mullan.

"To show up today and perform the way we did in a semi-final is something we'll take huge confidence from going into Saturday's game.

"Credit to Spain, they held out and shootouts can go either way sometimes. I just want to reiterate how proud I am and how united and together we are as a team.

"We take so much pride in our circle and defending it and I think we showed that again today. We reset and we go again exactly as we have throughout this entire tournament."

'The hunger is there - and hunger is powerful'

Ireland started the game on the front foot, dominating possession in the first quarter and creating a couple of half chances.

Mullan had the first opportunity but her shot was wide of the post then Perez was forced to make two saves from Niamh Carey and a deflection off her own defender.

The second period followed the same pattern, with Mullan forcing another save from Perez before Spain created their first real chance.

Blanca Perez produced some good play in the circle but her shot went wide and there was no team-mate on the back post to finish the move off.

As half-time approached the two sides began to cancel each other out.

Spain began the third quarter with a period of pressure that Ireland coped with well.

Spain players celebrate after their semi-final shootout win over Ireland

However the Irish wasted two penalty corners at the other end and finished the quarter with the best chance of the game. Deirdre Duke turned in the circle and fired a shot on goal but Perez made a great kick save.

The fourth quarter was a nervous affair from both sides with Spain having more possession but Ireland defending their circle with care. With the game deadlocked it was on to the shootout that the Spanish would dominate.

Now Ireland must pick themselves up for Saturday's last-chance game against Great Britain, who themselves were edged out 3-2 by Belgium in Thursday's second semi-final in Valencia.

"The hunger is there and hunger is such a powerful thing," added Ireland skipper Mullan.

"We're motivated and we are ready so yeah, it won't take much.

"We're focusing on ourselves and we know if we bring the level of hockey that we can that we'll have another good day on Saturday and we'll perform out here on this pitch."