John Motson
BBC commentator at Estadio Luis Casanova

"Half-time arrives with the match finely balanced. Spain would be all right but Northern Ireland have to do more. The crowd are getting their breath back after a first half full of incident, but not much of it in the goalmouth.

"Some of the challenges really make you wonder what the Spanish players have to do to get sent off. If Spain go any further in this competition, Fifa have to be very careful with the choice of referee for their matches, because a Latin American referee was never going to be sensible."

It's been a tough year in Northern Ireland so the country could do with some cheer.

This year began with a continuation of the violence that had marked 1981.

Against a background of 20% unemployment and serious blackspots around the country, the De Lorean sports car company in Dunmurry closed in May with 1500 workers laid off.

In April, Margaret Thatcher's declaration of war on Argentina for occupying the Falklands saw a downturn in Anglo-Irish relations.

Image source, PA

Of course the soundtrack for this World Cup for any Northern Ireland fans has been Dana's 'When Yer Man Gets the Ball'., external

Come on now guys, you know how it goes.

"When yer man gets the ball, Northern Ireland has it all,

"Oh we're off to Spain, never mind the rain, when yer man gets the ball."

I feel that song will really stand the test of time.

It's been a mixed tournament for British teams on the whole.

England are in the next group stage after winning all three Group 4 games, against France, Czechoslovakia and Kuwait earlier today.

But Scotland are out despite beating New Zealand 5-2 in their Group 6 opener. They lost 4-1 to Brazil and then drew 2-2 against the Soviet Union, who knocked them out on goal difference.

It's goalless at half-time - this result sends Northern Ireland out and Spain and Yugoslavia through.

It only takes one goal though...

Ross:, external How many red cards if this match was being played now?

John Motson
BBC commentator at Estadio Luis Casanova

"This is getting completely out of hand. McIllroy was clearly hurt but was violent in the way he hit back. There is verbal warfare as well, somebody needs to cool this down. With a few minutes before half-time I rather think the whistle will come as a relief to everybody and give the players a few minutes to cool their tempers.

"The number six Jose Alesanco, who I saw at Tottenham playing for Barcelona in the Cup Winners' Cup, can be ruthless. He is lucky to be on the pitch. There is not much football being played at the moment, certainly not by Spain. Like so many countries in the past, and particularly Argentina four years ago, they are pushing the referee as far as they dare."

David McCreery goes on a jinking run before he is crunched to the ground by Jose Alesanco. Alesanco wasn't even booked.

This is one of the dirtiest first halves of football I've seen.

Image source, Getty Images

Of course plenty of Northern Ireland fans will be watching this down the pub.

Relish the 54p beers everyone. I suspect they won't be this price forever.

Sammy McIlroy has stamped on Enrique Saura and enters the book. He's very lucky not to be sent off.

We just need to get to half-time now, this is becoming a bloodbath.

Billy Hamilton is booked for fouling Miguel Tendillo, who is holding his special area in pain.

Jose Alesanco now kicks Hamilton in the back of the legs but he gets away with it.

Jimmy Hill
BBC pundit at Estadio Luis Casanova

"Northern Ireland have done very very well to be 0-0 at this stage of the game. They have taken a lot of fierce tackling and it takes a lot of courage to keep at the Spanish defence knowing that that kind of challenge is waiting. It must be said that the Spanish people are very warm off the pitch, which we know too well, but they can be disgusting on it."

I think there'll come a time, Jimmy, when you probably can't say things like that.

Just as Northern Ireland were coming back into it Jose Alesanco heads over the crossbar under pressure from Chris Nicholl.

Think Billy Bingham will be happy to get the lads back in at half-time goalless.

Ricky, Omagh: What a team we had in '82! By the law of averages, wee Norn Iron will be back at the World Cup, never give up! Cmon Gerry, burst that Spanish net!

Northern Ireland starting to come out of their shell a bit now, like an 18-year-old at a disco after two glasses of port and coke.

The game is starting to become a bit more even now.

Bazza:, external This Spanish team are a disgrace. Get into them boys!

John Motson
BBC commentator at Estadio Luis Casanova

"The crowd are jeering their tactics of taking their time but Northern Ireland know they have got to force the game a little bit, they have got to score if they are to stay in the World Cup."

Norman Whiteside whips in a fantastic cross from the left but Billy Hamilton didn't gamble and wasn't there to head it home.

You have to gamble, Billy.

Manchester United's 17-year-old Norman Whiteside has a shot on target for Northern Ireland but it's straight at Luis Arconada.

At least he tried to score though, a few of his team-mates could do with following his example. Remember a goalless draw and they're on their way home.

Jesus Maria Satrustegui heads another effort wise. He's going to bury one of these sooner or later.

Nice to see a chance in front of goal though after all that wrestling. What is this? England v Honduras in a friendly in 32 years' time?