Ryan Giggs rules out Gareth Bale but draws positives from Wales defeat to Spain

Manager puts on brave face after 4-1 loss, but says his team will bounce back in next game against Ireland

France forward Kylian Mbappe is helped by medical staff during their friendly against Iceland at Roudourou Stadium in Guingamp on Thursday. AFP

Argentina's Franco Cervi (L) scores a goal during the international friendly soccer match between Argentina and Iraq, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. EPA

UAE´s defender Mohamed Al-Minhali jumps after UAE's midfielder Omar Abdulrahman scored during a friendly football match between United Arab Emirates and Honduras at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona. AFP

UAE's goalkeeper Khalid Eisa (up) vies with Honduras' defender Henry Figueroa (L) during a friendly football match between United Arab Emirates and Honduras at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona. AFP

Honduras' forward Bryan Rochez (R) controls the ball during a friendly football match between United Arab Emirates and Honduras at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona. AFP

UAE's midfielder Ali Salmeen (L) vies with Honduras' midfielder Bryan Acosta during a friendly football match between United Arab Emirates and Honduras at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona. AFP

Iraq's Rebin Sulaka and Hussam Kadhim in action with Argentina's Eduardo Salvio during the Argentina vs Iraq football match at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Iraqi player Rebin Ghareeb Solaka (C) in action with Argentine player Simeone Giovanni (R) during the international friendly soccer match between Argentina and Iraq, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. EPA

Chris Gunter (C) of Wales and Alvaro Morata (L) of Spain in action during the international friendly soccer match between Wales and Spain, Cardiff, Wales, Britain. EPA

Raul Albiol and Rodri Hernandez of Spain look on after the International Friendly match between Wales and Spain in Cardiff, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Ryan Giggs and Ben Davies after the match between Wales vs Spain. Reuters

Suso Fernandez of Spain takes on Jazz Richards of Wales during the International Friendly match between Wales and Spain on October 11, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Iceland's forward Albert Gudmundsson (L) vies with France's midfielder Tanguy Ndombele during the friendly football match between France and Iceland at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp, western France. AFP

France's forward Kylian Mbappe (R) vies with Iceland's midfielder Runar Mar Sigurjonsson during the friendly football match between France and Iceland at the Roudourou Stadium in Guingamp, western France. AFP

Ryan Giggs promised Wales would improve after their Spanish lesson, even though Gareth Bale is set to be absent again for the Uefa Nations League trip to the Republic of Ireland.

Wales were no match for a rampant Spain side as the visitors ran out 4-1 winners in a Principality Stadium friendly on Thursday night.

Real Madrid star Bale was missing with what Wales manager Giggs described as "muscle fatigue", and the chances of the 29-year-old forward playing in Dublin appear slim.

"Gareth is struggling for Tuesday," Giggs said after Wales' heaviest defeat for six years. "We will make a decision in the next couple of days.

"We will make it sooner, rather than later."

Asked if it looked at the moment that Wales would be without their headline performer, Giggs said: "Yes, it does."

Wales also have injury concerns over Chelsea midfielder Ethan Ampadu (knee) and Brentford defender Chris Mepham (glute) for Dublin.

There was plenty of pain on the pitch, too, as Wales ended a seven-and-a-half-year wait to play at the 74,500-capacity home of Welsh rugby.

A crowd of 50,232 saw Spain storm into a three-goal lead through Paco Alcacer and Sergio Ramos inside 29 minutes before substitute Marc Bartra added a fourth in the second-half.

Sam Vokes headed a consolation a minute from time to provide Wales with some cheer before their journey across the Irish Sea.

"It is disappointing," Giggs added. "Against average teams, you have to do the basics right.

"Against a very good team, if you don't do the basics, you get punished, and that's what happened.

"We brush ourselves down, take it on the chin. The last time we were in Cardiff we won 4-1 and were magnificent.

"The good thing about football is you have always got the next game, and that can't come quickly enough.

"We will be better on Tuesday."

Spain had a terrible World Cup when manager Julien Lopetegui was dismissed on the eve of the tournament after it was revealed that he was joining Real Madrid at the end of it.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs consoles Chris Gunter after the match. Reuters

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The former European and world champions bowed out at the last-16 stage, but Luis Enrique has revitalised them in his short time in charge.

Spain have scored 12 times in his three games and approach their Nations League return with England in Seville on Monday full of confidence.

"It was an intense game and I loved watching my team," Enrique said.

"The team were very involved from the first minute and had an almost perfect attitude."

"Yes, there are [selection] clues [for the England game] in terms of those who have not played tonight, but you won't be able to guess more than four or five [of the team].

"I love the competition. It means we can bring in four or five players and they still have a very high level."