As Republic of Ireland players reflect on their elimination from Euro 2012 after the embarrassing 4-0 defeat by Spain, defender John O'Shea said they will rue basic mistakes that cost them so dearly.
Ireland conceded early goals at the start of each half against Croatia on Sunday and were guilty of the same mistakes against the Spanish in Gdansk last night.
This time it was Fernando Torres and David Silva who put the game beyond Giovanni Trapattoni's side.
Another strike from Torres and a fourth for substitute Cesc Fabregas sealed a comfortable win, as the reigning World and European champions put on a sublime show of possession football.
The thumping defeat was Ireland's worst in competitive matches for over 40 years and means they are the first team to be knocked out of the tournament.
"We conceded the early goal and again the early goal in the second half as well," said O'Shea.
"Against a team like Spain you are just giving yourselves an absolute mountain to climb. Then they can easily pick you off.
"The big thing we have to improve on and what we are disappointed with was the way we conceded the goals. We've been so strong in qualifying. Look, as well as that you have to hold your hands up and say Spain that are an unbelievable team.
"You would want to keep Spain to as little chances as possible. If you're giving them that encouragement in the final third it is going to be very difficult for you."
Trapattoni will come in for fierce criticism in the coming days over his formation and team selection.
Simon Cox was surprisingly selected as an extra midfielder in an attempt to thwart the Spanish, with Robbie Keane ineffectual as a lone striker.
Trapattoni replaced Cox at half-time with Jonathan Walters, but it made little difference as Spain continued to stroke the ball around the Irish players unencumbered.
Spain set a European Championship record by attempting 929 passes. Xavi completed 114 of 133, which surpassed the record held by Ronald Koeman since 1992.
A defence that had looked so solid in qualification, looked porous last night and the Spanish took full advantage of Irish errors.
O'Shea said: "You're aware beforehand how well they keep the ball, the number of passes they create in matches and the possession the create in matches.
"It is one of them, you think to yourself 'Could different systems works? Could different players work?'
"If you stop the mistakes at the start of the game and the start of the second half then you have some sort of chance, no matter what players or what system you're playing.
"Beforehand, I'm sure the manager weighed up lots of ideas and he wanted what he thought was best. We conceded the early goal and when you get in at half-time only 1-0 down you think 'right, let's keep it nice and tight early on'.
"Next thing, we lose that second goal and it's a massive uphill task then against one of the best teams in the world.
"If you see the last goal they scored as well, we normally never concede a goal like that.
"It was just from a corner played in. He's put the goal away well, but for us to be conceding goals like that. I know the game was over, but we should be able to keep our discipline. Those lapses in concentration have cost us."
While they have nothing but pride to play for against Italy, O'Shea said the players are determined to finish on a high and give the fans something positive to sing about.
He said: "It is massively important. We don't want to leave this tournament with three defeats.
"We'll be doing everything we can to get something from the game, not just for the fans, but from our own point of view as well, the players and the staff.
"We've worked so hard for the last few years in the qualifying campaign. We'll definitely be doing all we can against Italy."
It was a dispiriting evening for Shay Given as he produced several top class saves but still had to pick the ball out of his net four times.
"We're gutted of course. We wanted to win the game or we wanted to at least get a point from the game," Given said.
"We've been beaten by the better team. It is obviously difficult to take conceding four games, especially when you're the goalkeeper.
"We saw why they are world champions. They cut us apart on a number of occasions and they have got so many great players.
"The passing and movement is phenomenal. I think if any team can beat Spain then they will win the trophy. They'll be hard to beat."
There are some suggestions that the keeper will consider his international future after the Italy game on Monday night.
Given insisted that the players will not be lacking in motivation for what could be his 125th and last cap for his country.
He said: "It is not going to be that hard. We want to give the fans something to sing about and have a bit of pride in the jersey and the country."
Glenn Mason
