In a seismic shock that reverberated around the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, Spain shattered Ireland's World Rugby Sevens Series title ambitions with a nail-biting 19-14 victory in a thrilling semi-final clash in Madrid.
The Irish squad, who were bidding for a historic first-ever series crown, found themselves outmanoeuvred by a ferocious and tactically brilliant Spanish side playing in front of an ecstatic home crowd. The defeat dashes Irish hopes and sets up a final between the hosts and Japan, who overcame France in the other semi-final.
A Dream Start Shattered
Ireland's campaign began with soaring expectations after they convincingly topped their pool on Saturday. However, the Spanish team had other ideas, executing their game plan with precision and passion. The home side's defence was immense, repeatedly repelling Irish attacks and capitalising on turnovers to build scoreboard pressure.
The loss means Ireland must now regroup quickly for the third-place playoff against France, a match that still holds significance for final series standings and pride.
The Road to the Final
In the other semi-final, Japan continued their impressive form by securing a hard-fought victory over a strong French team. This sets the stage for a captivating final between two nations not traditionally seen in the winner's circle of world sevens, promising a fantastic spectacle for fans.
Japan's journey to the final has been one of the stories of the tournament, demonstrating the growing depth and unpredictability in international rugby sevens.
What's Next for Ireland?
While the dream of lifting the trophy is over, Ireland's performance throughout the series has been widely praised. The team will look to finish their campaign on a high note with a bronze medal before turning their attention to future tournaments and the long-term development of the sevens programme.
The Madrid final between Spain and Japan promises to be a fiery contest, with both teams seizing a rare opportunity to claim world rugby glory on the grandest stage.
