Spain sailed to a comfortable victory over a Russian side that, although presenting no major problems, were positive and occasionally tricky. Three goals from Chelsea interest David Villa (20, 45 and 75) and one from Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas (90) trampled over Russia, who could only muster one consolation goal from Roman Pavlyuchenko (86).
The first goal came after a break from Torres down the left. He drew the keeper out of goal before flicking to Villa who could tap into the empty net. Three minutes later and Russia nearly equalised as they hit the post. Another Russian chance comes as the-striker-who-sank-England, Pavlyuchenko, hits his free kick onto the cross bar.
Iniesta runs down the middle and cuts in to offer Villa a through ball that sets him up for his second- a finish tapped straight through Russian keeper Afinkeev's legs.
Spain 2 - 0 Russia
After the break the Russians didn't appear disheartened and continued to push positively up into the Spanish danger area and conjured up some chances.
Torres was taken off for Fabregas in the 54th, with the latter sporting "Fabregas" on his back, instead of the previous "Cesc" that he wore at international level and now deems unlucky. The substitution, and perhaps name change, worked as he set up Villa's third goal 20 minutes after coming on. He then went on to score his first international goal- a flying header after Xavi's shot rebounded off Akinfeev.
Russia's consolation came on the 86th after Pavlyuchenko header in a corner.
The result was an important one for Spain. It's been argued that their confidence as a national team may need boosting after consistently underachieving and not winning a single major tournament since 1964. The players performed well, with the tiki-taka style of playing- frequent, short passes- clearly confusing the Russians and particularly their loose defense.
Torres and Villa's almost telepathic partnership was fearsome and powerful enough to challenge the penalty area of any international side, and the wealth of attacking players that Aragones can choose from means high chances of high scores.
But the lazy looking defense may mean needless goals are conceeded.
The second truly memorable game of the tournament, after Holland's unprecedented humiliation of Italy, has shown the power the reds can pull. But if they are not going to do what's expected of them and limp out in the quarters, they need to focus on staying disciplined in the defense.
Spain:
Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila, Silva (Alonso 77), Senna, Xavi, Iniesta (Santi Cazorla 63), Villa, Torres (Fabregas 54)
Russia:
Akinfeev, Aniukov, Shirokov, Kolodin, Zhirkov, Sychev (Bystrov 45), Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov (Torbinsky 57), Bilyaletdinov, Pavlyuchenko,
