Northern Ireland's Euro 2008 qualification hopes fizzled out tonight as a

deflected Spain goal condemned them to defeat in Gran Canaria.

Xavi's fortuitous second-half strike brought Northern Ireland's dreams to an

end while Sweden beat Latvia 2-1 to rule out the Province's hopes anyway.

The Ulstermen ended their thrilling campaign on a relative low, with Xavi's

long-range drive careering off Sammy Clingan's head to wrong-foot Maik Taylor.

An unlikely victory in Gran Canaria combined with Latvia beating Sweden would

have seen the Province secure a place in Euro 2008 and end their long absence

from a major finals.

Worthington made two changes to his side as they faced their night of

destiny.

Chris Baird and Ivan Sproule returned as Jonny Evans and Keith Gillespie were

both suspended.

Northern Ireland's hopes rested mainly with striker David Healy, who was

looking to improve on his record 13-goal tally in the qualifying campaign.

The Irish had incredible backing for this crucial fixture - over 4,000

supporters made the trip to Gran Canaria.

Spain started brightly and Xavi cracked a shot wide of Taylor's post after two

minutes.

The home side had loud claims for a penalty waved away by referee Herbert

Fandel in the seventh minute after David Silva went to ground following a

challenge from Stephen Craigan.

Spain were having the majority of possession and knocking the ball around with

the confidence of a nation that had secured their place in the finals with one

match to spare.

Northern Ireland, however, responded in the 17th minute when Healy typically

made space for himself only to see his effort from distance go over the bar.

There was little respite, however, and Sergio Ramos found the side-netting in

the 21st minute following a neat through ball from Cesc Fabregas.

The conditions were certainly different to what they were in Belfast at the

weekend when Denmark were defeated in torrential rain. Tonight the temperature

was a balmy 20 degrees.

Spain stepped up the pressure and Taylor got down quickly to smother a shot

from Daniel Guiza.

Then a minute later Sergio Ramos came within inches of making the

breakthrough, only for Clingan to clear off the line.

Northern Ireland, however, were beginning to pick up the pace of the game with

Chris Brunt finding space on the left.

The West Brom winger was wasting no time in delivering the ball into the area

for Healy and his strike partner.

Fabregas then sprung into life after 38 minutes and the Arsenal midfielder

stung Taylor's fingers with a rasping drive from 20 yards.

The home crowd, though, were becoming a little bit frustrated by their team's

inability to break the deadlock despite some neat play.

Taylor then did well in the 40th minute to claw away a cross from Andres

Iniesta after it took a sudden deflection.

Northern Ireland were again on the back foot two minutes later when Gareth

McAuley reacted quickly to boot away Guiza's close-range effort.

This was a testing time for the province and Taylor parried a 25-yard shot

from Marcos Senna before blocking Silva's effort.

Spain went ahead in the 53rd minute with Northern Ireland cursing their luck.

Taylor seemed to have Xavi's 25-yard effort covered but he was left

wrong-footed after it took a deflection of Craigan.

It was an uphill task for the province now and Worthington reacted by bringing

on Kyle Lafferty for Brunt after 59 minutes. Lafferty scored a superb equaliser

against Sweden and had been forced to miss the victory over Denmark through

suspension.

Spain should have extended their lead two minutes later when substitute

Joaquin pulled the ball back from the byline. It looked a tap-in for Silva but

he somehow managed to steer his shot wide of Taylor's post.

The Ulstermen refused to give in and Healy received a booking for a late

challenge on Sergio Ramos.

As Northern Ireland poured forward in search of an equaliser, more and more

gaps were opening in their defence.

Taylor had to be sharp off his line to thwart the onrushing Joaquin five

minutes from full-time as the Spaniards looked to kill of the game.

Nigel Worthington has indicated he would be interested in becoming Northern

Ireland's manager on a permanent basis after their hopes of reaching Euro 2008

were dashed at the final hurdle.

The match also effectively ended Worthington's tenure as manager after he

succeeded Lawrie Sanchez halfway through the campaign.

Worthington looks set to meet officials from the Irish Football Association

following the World Cup draw on Sunday.

Worthington said: 'It is not a case of walking away, it is a case of things

being right for Nigel Worthington and everyone involved. I have enjoyed the

experience but it remains to be seen what happens.

'I think the players and I have bonded and been pleased to be in each other's

company.

'You can see that on the pitch which is the important thing.'

The Province were left cursing their luck as Xavi's goal took a deflection off

defender Stephen Craigan.

It left goalkeeper Maik Taylor wrong-footed and after that they were left

facing an uphill task.

Worthington said: 'Stephen's tried to get his head on the ball and it's gone

the other way.

'It was a cruel blow but that's part and parcel of the game.

'But no matter which way you look at it, it was a gutsy performance.

'We didn't have a lot of possession but our character was magnificent.

'I'm very proud of the team - to lose 1-0 against a side like Spain is no

disgrace.

'They know they've been in a fight tonight.

'We can hold our heads up high. The team have grown together and I've been

thrilled with the campaign.'

Northern Ireland were backed by over 4,000 fans and Worthington added: 'We

have taken huge numbers to away games and that just shows the progress we have

made and the fans were magnificent again tonight and gave us great backing.'