Spain qualify for Euro 2012 with easy win
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China Daily, September 7, 2011
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Spain's David Villa (C) celebrates with team-mates after scoring a goal against Liechtenstein during their Euro 2012 Group I qualifying soccer match at the Las Gaunas stadium in Logrono, northern Spain, Sept 6, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
The Spanish national football team qualified for the finals of the 2012 European Championships thanks to an easy 6-0 win against Liechtenstein on Tuesday night.
The win means that the reigning European and world Champions have won all six of their games in qualifying Group I.
The Spanish controlled the game from the start, but didn't open the score until the 33rd minute when Alvaro Negredo controlled a long pass from Xavi Hernandez on his chest before volleying his side ahead.
Negredo doubled the lead shortly afterward, sliding a left foot shot home from inside the penalty area after a backheel from David Villa.
Xavi Hernandez then celebrated his 103rd appearance for Spain, which beats Raul Gonzalez's record as an outfield player, with a delightful free kick to make it 3-0, just before half time.
That was Xavi's last contribution of the game as he was substituted by Cesc Fabrigas at the break, seven minutes before Sergio Ramos made it 4-0.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque then took the opportunity to introduce Thiago Alcantara into the match: Thiago's competitive debut means he cannot now play for either Italy or Brazil's national teams, for which he had also been eligible.
David Villa made it 5-0 before the hour following a Juan Mata pass and scored his second of the night 20 minutes later following a Xabi Alonso free kick.
The only disappointment for the 15,000 fans in the Las Gaunas Stadium in Logrono was that local hero Fernando Llorente was unable to get on the scoresheet, but that did little to spoil another triumphant night for the Spanish.
