Northern Ireland: Michael O’Neill has ‘no regrets’ over Spain scheduling despite 5-1 loss in Palma

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says he has “no regrets” over scheduling a friendly international with Spain and believes exposure to players of such quality will benefit his side in the future.

Northern Ireland went into Saturday’s game on the back of a three-game unbeaten run but, despite taking the lead in the second minute, were ultimately outclassed over the course of a 5-1 defeat.

The game was being used by Spain as final preparations for the European Championship, which begins in Germany next week.

Northern Ireland are due to play Bulgaria, Belarus and Luxembourg in the Nations League this autumn and O’Neill says he wanted his side to face superior opposition before World Cup 2026 qualifying begins next year.

“When this game was offered to us, I felt it was the right opportunity,” said O’Neill, whose side face Andorra in another friendly on Tuesday.

“It would have been easier to play a nation that was more at our level, but I think in the Nations League we’ll play teams at our level and this was a chance to show our players the highest level.

“We have to take that given we’ve the World Cup 2026 [qualification] starting in March. We need to play against as many good teams as possible.

“I’ve no regrets about taking the game. We’ll deal with the result, I’ve been beaten before.”