Pilih Siaran radio andaINNSBRUCK: Spain fired a warning shot to their Euro 2008 title rivals with a stunning dissection of Russia here yesterday, winning their Group D clash 4-1.
Russia, coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, did not play badly -- they had a lot of the ball and created chances -- but Spain were ruthless.
Russia created the first clear chance as captain Sergei Semak played in the overlapping right-back Alexsandr Anyukov and his pull back found Igor Semshov but the Dinamo Moscow man shot tamely wide.
Russia were made to pay on 20 minutes as Fernando Torres latched onto a long through ball from Joan Capdevila, turned his marker Denis Kolodin, drew goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and slipped the ball inside for Villa to slot into an empty net.
Russia reacted well as Konstantin Zyryanov hit the post with a shot from 12 yards following confusion in the Spanish box.
On 27 minutes a great move from Spain almost resulted in another goal as Andres Iniesta played in Villa, who forced Akinfeev into a smart near-post save.
But on the stroke of half-time the same pair combined to give Spain a 2-0 lead, Iniesta brilliantly picking out Villa's run before the Valencia marksmen squeezed the ball between Akinfeev's legs.
Spain coach Luis Aragones brought off Torres for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas to try to close up the middle of the park after the break.
With 15 minutes left, Fabregas threaded a through ball to Villa and the diminutive striker turned inside his marker before wrong-footing Akinfeev.
Russia were restricted to taking long range pot shots, although Pavlyuchenko did score a consolation goal with a close range header four minutes from time as Spain went to sleep at a corner but another rapier counter attack saw Fabregas head home after Xavi's volley was blocked. -- AFP
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