Republic of Ireland denied Euro 2016 play-off victory in Bosnia as England slump to Spain defeat
![Robbie Brady](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1469412/robbie-brady.jpg?w=736&f=4e729fc890a3f3aa3a416e1b0d684f5a)
An equaliser from Edin Dzeko denied the Republic of Ireland victory in the first leg of their Euro 2016 qualifying play-off tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 13 November. After a turgid opening at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica, an eerie thick fog descended in the second half and Robbie Brady looked to have secured a priceless away win for Martin O'Neill's side as he fired home a deflected effort from inside the box with just eight minutes remaining.
Unfortunately for Ireland, their lead was shortlived and the hosts were back on level terms within three minutes as a clever ball inside the right channel deceived substitute James McClean and allowed captain Dzeko to peel away from Richard Keogh and bundle home a low cross. The second leg takes place in Dublin on Monday night.
In Alicante, meanwhile, England were handed something of a reality check as they followed their flawless Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain at the Estadio Jose Rico Perez. On the backfoot for much of the evening, the visitors fell behind in the 72nd-minute courtesy of a stunning acrobatic volley from Villarreal right-back Mario Gaspar that owed much to a delightful chip from Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas.
England did little to threaten Iker Casillas' goal throughout the 90 minutes and the disappointing defeat was sealed when Santi Cazorla curled a lovely left-footed effort beyond Joe Hart.
![Mario Gaspar](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1469415/mario-gaspar.jpg?w=736&f=84d86932692206dcaa64a2d6d79cf4eb)
Elsewhere in friendlies involving home nations, a Wales team lacking Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey lost to the Netherlands in an exciting five-goal thriller in Cardiff. Striker Bas Dost edged the Dutch, who have not qualified for next summer's European Championships, in front and Arjen Robben notched a second-half brace to secure victory after Joe Ledley and Emyr Huws looked to have earned the Welsh a draw.
Northern Ireland were also in action, winning their first friendly in 23 attempts against Latvia at Windsor Park courtesy of a second-half strike from Steven Davis.
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