Spain gave themselves the perfect confidence
booster ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers next month by
recording a comfortable 3-1 victory over Uruguay in an international
friendly in Doha, Qatar.
Cesc Fabregas gave the European and world champions the lead after
15 minutes at the Khalifa Stadium but Cristian Rodriguez levelled for
Oscar Tabarez's side on the half-hour mark.Pedro Rodriguez restored Spain's lead just after half-time and then secured the victory with a close-range finish with 15 minutes to go.
The game was coach Vicente Del Bosque's 68th game in charge of the national side, which took him level with Ladislao Kubala as the man who has coached Spain for the most games.
The match also saw centre-back Carles Puyol make his 100th appearance for Spain and he captained the side to mark the occasion, while Cesar Azpilicueta, Isco and Mario Suarez all made their international debuts.
Spain started the brighter of the two sides but took the lead in fortuitous fashion. Fabregas received the ball in plenty of space from Juan Mata and tried his luck from 30 yards out, but was amazed to see his shot go through the hands of Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and drop into the net.
Cristian Rodriguez made Uruguay's pressure count and grabbed the equaliser, receiving a through-ball from Martin Caceres and using his strength to turn Puyol and then shoot past Valdes.
The Copa America holders could even have taken the lead before half-time but Sergio Ramos made an important tackle on the edge of the area to deny Edinson Cavani a clean run on goal.
Puyol was replaced by Barca team-mate Gerard Pique at half-time and the substitute had the desired impact within little more than five minutes of coming on, providing a pass from the edge of the area to Pedro who shot past Muslera into the far corner to put the Spaniards in front again.
Uruguay's best chance to equalise came when Cavani fired a shot at goal from just inside the area, but Valdes tipped the ball away for a corner.
With half an hour remaining the lively Andres Iniesta made way to allow 20-year-old Isco to make his first appearance for his country, and the Malaga midfielder showed he has plenty to offer in the future.
Spain rounded off the victory with a goal to savour with 15 minutes remaining. Substitute David Villa received the ball from outside the area and passed to Fabregas on the left-hand side. The former Arsenal man was under pressure from a defender but swung in a perfect cross to the back post which was met by Pedro, who could not miss from barely five yards out.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/280465
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