Harte hits his penalty straight at Casillas (Allsport)

By Chris Roberts, PA Sport

Republic of Ireland:

Shay Given: Was once again fantastic when he was called into the action keeping Ireland in the game, but he had no chance with Spain's first goal. 8.

Steve Finnan: Another assured display from the Fulham defender to prevent Spain from having too much success down the left channel. Scored penalty in shoot-out. 8.

Ian Harte: Suffered the agony of seeing his penalty saved by the Spanish goalkeeper, but he probably turned in his best display of the World Cup. 7.

Steve Staunton: Was given a torrid time by the dangerous Spanish front duo and was forced off with an injury just minutes after the break. 6.

Matt Holland: After a frustrating start to the game he gained more success as the match wore on, competing with the Spanish midfield and supporting the attackers. But he missed a vital spot-kick. 8.

Damien Duff: Showed some rare glimpses of the form which he had showed in the World Cup games so far, but was not allowed to make as big an impact. Had good chance late on in normal time to snatch a dramatic victory for the Republic. 7.

Robbie Keane: Constantly running at and tussling with the Spanish defence and inevitably kept Irish hopes alive with a late penalty and kept his nerve in the shoot-out. 8.

Kevin Kilbane: The Sunderland midfielder should have scored after Ian Harte's penalty was saved and again wasted possession too many times. But despite a lack of success going forward he never stopped running for his side. Missed in shoot-out. 7.

Mark Kinsella: Struggled to get control of the midfield alongside Matt Holland, but never stopped working hard throughout to give Ireland hope. 7.

Gary Breen: After being found out early on against the very highest calibre strikers he led by example with another solid and heroic display. 8.

Gary Kelly: Never stopped running down the right flank and was probably replaced because he had ran out of gas. 7.

Substitutes:

Kenny Cunningham (on for Staunton 50 minutes): Difficult circumstances to come into, but did fantastically well alongside Breen to keep the Spanish at bay. 7.

Niall Quinn (on for Kelly 55 minutes): Fought hard to keep the Republic in the World Cup and his height and strength gave Spain some nervous late moments before winning his side a penalty. 7.

David Connolly (on for Harte 82 minutes): Came on late and caused the tiring Spanish players some problems and struck shot agonisingly wide of the post. Also missed penalty kick. 7.

Spain:

Iker Casillas: A great shot stopper as proved with his penalty save from Ian Harte, but his vulnerability on crosses was not tested enough until late on. 7.

Juanfran: Looked dangerous when bombing down the left flank, but looked vulnerable in defence and a mistimed tackle gave Ireland a penalty, and missed from the spot in the shoot-out. 7.

Ivan Helguera: Was commanding early on against Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, but suffers from the odd lapse which were exploited later in the match. 7.

Carles Puyol: Snubbed out the threat of Kevin Kilbane at right-back, hardly giving him any chance to put any balls into the centre. 8.

Fernando Hierro: This will be the veteran's last World Cup. He cleared Mark Kinsella's shot off the line, but he looks Spain's weakest link in defence and needlessly gave away a last-minute penalty which the Republic converted. 6.

Raul: Gave the Republic defence a harrowing time with his movement and was unfortunate not to get a goal his display deserved. 8.

Ruben Baraja: An unsung hero who was effective in the holding role for Spain to allow those players around him the opportunity to play. 7.

Fernando Morientes: Great finish for the goal and, along with Raul, caused the Republic more problems than they have faced in their previous World Cup games. 8.

Francisco de Pedro: The Republic never knew how to pick him up with his runs from deep or how to cope with his passes and clever flicks. 7.

Juan Carlos Valeron: Orchestrated things in the Spanish midfield and his passes ripped open the Republic defence at times, but went missing late on and squandered chance to win it from the spot. 7.

Luis Enrique: Great cross to set up Fernando Morientes' opening goal and was as effective going forward as he was helping out in defence. 8.

Substitutes: Gaizka Mendieta (on for de Pedro 66 minutes): Gave the Spanish coach a reminder with moments of class, but did not expect to work as hard as he did. Converted winning spot-kick. 7.

David Albeda (on for Morientes 71 minutes): Struggled to fight his way into the game after entering the fray, but tried to close the Irish down. 6.

Alberto Luque (on for Raul 80 minutes): Came on for the tired Raul late on and struggled to get into the game. 5.