Fortune says McCarthy's Republic can prevail.

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Daejeon

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Manchester United winger Quinton Fortune claims the Republic of Ireland have a genuine chance of stunning Spain in the last 16 of the World Cup Finals.

Few give Ireland much chance against hot favourites Spain in Suwon on Sunday but Fortune, having battled so hard to keep South Africa in the tournament in a thrilling 3-2 defeat by the Spanish, believes Ireland can triumph.

Fortune suffered the agony of going out on goal difference to Paraguay, who hit back to beat Slovenia 3-1 with 10 men in their final group game.

Fortune said: "Ireland definitely have a chance against the Spanish. They are probably more defensive than us, and the style they play will frustrate Spain.

"And they have some very good players, too, so Ireland definitely have a chance. The game with the Irish will be much tighter than the one we have just played with Spain, it will be far less open.

"We showed that you can score goals against the Spanish, which will encourage Ireland. But from our point of view it's no good scoring and not winning."

Fortune's side are now on their way home after failing to earn the one point they needed to survive themselves.

Fortune said: "I suppose I'd have been happier with a 4-5 result, or something like that, but I really wanted to go to the last 16 and I am bitterly disappointed.

"We need to go back now and see what we did wrong and come back the next time and do better.

The Africans left in defiance, with coach Jomo Sono predicting: "The gap between the European and South American countries and the ones from Africa and the Far East is getting closer, much closer.

"We were hoping to join our African colleagues from Senegal in the last 16, but it wasn't to be.

"But I tell you, in the next World Cup finals, watch Africa. We have to go back to the drawing board and return stronger. We will qualify again and next time we will reach the second stage."