adminCURITIBA. — Strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres scored to help give deposed champions Spain a comfortable consolation win after a miserable World Cup when they beat Australia 3-0 yesterday. Villa neatly back-heeled the opener in the 36th minute after Spain carved open the Australian defence. Torres slid home in the 69th minute when set clear in the penalty box.
Substitute Juan Mata rolled a third goal between the legs of goalkeeper Mat Ryan in the 82nd minute as Australia ran out of steam.
Spain had nothing but pride to play for after losing their first two games. Australia were also on their way home after defeats to Chile and the Netherlands.
Coach Vicente del Bosque made seven changes from the Spanish team that started the 2-0 defeat by Chile.
Midfielder Andres Iniesta kept his place and won his 100th cap.
Iniesta, scorer of the winner in the 2010 final, showed his craft by helping to create Villa’s goal with a superb pass that sent defender Juanfran clear in space on the right wing.
Villa, Spain’s record goalscorer, claimed his 59th goal in 97 games for his country when he turned in the cross. It was probably his last appearance for Spain as he prepares to play in MLS soccer next year.
Australia almost hit back immediately, goalkeeper Pepe Reina hacking the ball clear in a goalmouth scramble.
That was a rare threat from an inexperienced Australian team who missed the presence of suspended leading scorer Tim Cahill up front.
Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla believes it is not all doom and gloom for Spain as they look to re-build following their shock group stage exit from this year’s World Cup.
The reigning champions succumbed to defeat at the hands of both Netherlands and Chile which secured La Furia Roja’s fate in Brazil.
“The group is very strong,” Cazorla told FIFA.com. “We are facing up to some very tough and difficult moments because we were very motivated and we believed we could give our fans what they wanted.
“Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out that way because in football, anything can happen.”
The Arsenal playmaker reflected back on what went wrong for his national side, saying that their opponents had studied and countered their tactics well.
“About two years ago things started to change,” said the 29-year-old.
“Our rivals are now able to cause us a lot of harm. Now, they know our style — and they aren’t afraid any more.
“They are more aggressive in their play and pressure us a lot. We know it will be more difficult from now on and that we’ll have to give it everything to move up to the next level
“We have to look forward and close out this experience in the best way possible — by defending the honour of our country.
“My team-mates are unique players, they have made history for Spain, helping the country achieve something that had never been done.
“They deserve honour for that and we should be very grateful for the work they have put in.”— SuperSport/KickOff
Online Reporter