European champions Spain finish superb 2008 on a high

November 20, 2008

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European champions Spain beat Chile 3-0 at the Madrigal stadium in an international friendly here on Wednesday to finish a marvellous year with yet another victory.

A David Villa first half penalty, then goals after the break from Fernando Torres and Santiago Cazorla completed an emphatic win to cap a fantastic 2008 when they won the European title 44 years after their previous triumph in the competition.

Spain, without injured players David Silva and Andres Iniesta, also extended their unbeaten record to 28 against a tough Chilean side which had beaten Argentina 1-0 in World Cup qualifying in their previous match.

Chile, who played attractively in the second half, had not lost for more than two years. Their previous defeat came against Romania on November 15, 2006 in Cadix.

Spain, who have won their first four 2010 World Cup qualifiers and play their next one against Turkey in March, have shown no sign of weakening since their summer triumph in Switzerland and Austria.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque lined up his best possible team against the side coached by Marcelo Bielsa, with the same defence which won Euro 2008 except that Raul Albiol came in for Carlos Marchena.

Liverpool winger Albert Riera however replaced striker and clubmate Torres, though he came on in the second half.

The rest of the team was their classic, first-choice side with Xavi Hernandez, Marcos Senna, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas in midfield supporting lone striker Villa.

Villa scored in the 37th minute, his fifth goal in Spain's last five matches and his 24th in 21 appearances. Torres then got the second after good work from Xavi in the 66th minute. Then Villarreal's Cazorla got the third with four minutes to go.

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