* Spain and Ireland have met 14 times in competition over the past 40 years and the Spaniards hold a clear advantage with eight games won and four drawn to Ireland's two victories. * Since the 1-0 defeat by Switzerland in the opening match of the World Cup two years ago, Spain have failed to score in only two of 29 internationals. * Spain's run of 14 consecutive victories in competitive matches since their 1-0 loss to the Swiss came to an end with the 1-1 draw against Italy on Sunday. * Ireland's run of 14 matches without defeat also ended on Sunday with the 3-1 defeat by Croatia. * The three goals conceded to the Croatians were as many as the total Ireland let in during their unbeaten run, which included 11 clean sheets. * Croatia's Mario Mandzukic on Sunday became the first player to score two goals in a game against Ireland since Robert Lewandowki of Poland who struck twice in a 3-2 win in a November 2008 friendly. Previous meetings: 26/04/31 Fr Spain 1 Ireland 1 Barcelona 13/12/31 Fr Ireland 0 Spain 5 Dublin 23/06/46 Fr Spain 0 Ireland 1 Madrid 2/03/47 Fr Ireland 3 Spain 2 Dublin 30/05/48 Fr Spain 2 Ireland 1 Barcelona 12/06/49 Fr Ireland 1 Spain 4 Dublin 1/06/52 Fr Spain 6 Ireland 0 Madrid 27/11/55 Fr Ireland 2 Spain 2 Dublin 15/10/58 Fr Spain 6 Ireland 2 Madrid 11/03/64 ECQ Spain 5 Ireland 1 Seville 8/04/64 ECQ Ireland 0 Spain 2 Dublin 5/05/65 WCQ Ireland 1 Spain 0 Dublin 27/10/65 WCQ Spain 4 Ireland 1 Seville 10/11/65 WCQ Spain 1 Ireland 0 Paris 23/10/66 ECQ Ireland 0 Spain 0 Dublin 7/12/66 ECQ Spain 2 Ireland 0 Valencia 9/02/77 Fr Ireland 0 Spain 1 Dublin 17/11/82 ECQ Ireland 3 Spain 3 Dublin 27/04/83 ECQ Spain 2 Ireland 0 Zaragoza 26/05/83 Fr Ireland 0 Spain 0 Cork 16/11/88 WCQ Spain 2 Ireland 0 Seville 26/04/89 WCQ Ireland 1 Spain 0 Dublin 18/11/92 WCQ Spain 0 Ireland 0 Seville 13/10/93 WCQ Ireland 1 Spain 3 Dublin 16/06/02 WCF Spain 1 Ireland 1 Suwon Head to head Played: 25 Spain 14 wins Ireland 4 wins Draws 7 Key: WCF = World Cup finals, ECQ = European Championship qualifier,Fr = Friendly
