BRUGES, Belgium, June 26 (Reuters) - Spain arrived back in Madrid on Monday after a last-minute penalty miss from Raul sealed a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France and an early plane home from Euro 2000.

The disappointment at another missed opportunity to prove they have what it takes in a major tournament was evident among the coach and players, who had been so confident going into the competition that this, finally, would be their year.

After two poor performances in their opening two games, a 1-0 defeat to Norway and a 2-1 win against Slovenia, Spain found something close to their best form in an incredible 4-3 win over Yugoslavia, which saw them score twice in injury-time to clinch their place in the last eight.

On Sunday they could not quite manage a similar comeback, as Raul's spotkick sailed well over and wide of the goal.

But Jose Antonio Camacho's side could nevertheless be proud of a display full of determination, conviction and no little skill as they stayed with the reigning world champions all the way and came so close to forcing extra-time and the lottery of the golden goal rule.

And amidst all the disappointment of yet another quarter-final defeat - Spain now have a record of played five, lost five at the last-eight stage in major competitions - they were at least satisfied to have put the first-round exit at France 98 firmly behind them.

'I'm very happy with the players,' said Camacho. 'They've given everything that was asked of them in this tournament.

'It's a sad and bitter feeling to be going out but we couldn't have done anything more.'

Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado also expressed his disappointment at the defeat but was immediately looking forward to the next opportunity to give Spain their first major tournament success since the European Championship they won in Madrid in 1964.

'I'm desperate for another shot at a big competition,' he said, 'because the France defeat was a missed opportunity.

'We don't have to be obsessive about it but I'm sure we'll win a major tournament sooner rather than later.'

Spain's bid for World Cup success should be helped by Camacho's pledge to stay on as coach for at least two more years, a decision taken before the start of Euro 2000 and confirmed on Monday.

'I'm happy with the job I'm doing,' said Camacho, who inspired an immediate improvement in Spanish fortunes after taking over from Javier Clemente in the wake of a 3-2 defeat to Cyprus.

'As long as they don't sack me I'll be staying on.'

There is little danger of that, despite Spain's inability to progress beyond the quarter-final stage since 1984, when they lost in the final to France.

To lose to the world champions was no disgrace for Spain, who will feel as so often before, but with some justification, that maybe, just maybe, it will be their turn next time around.