The European champions thrashed Belgium 5-0 at the Riazor Stadium on Saturday night to make it seven wins in seven games in Group 5. Fernando Torres played for 66 minutes of Spain’s triumph as braces from Silva and Villa, plus a strike from Pique, cemented Vicente Del Bosque’s team’s place at the top of the table. A win on Wednesday against Estonia in Merida would guarantee Spain top-spot and a ticket to next summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa. -Group 5 -

Belgium were against the ropes almost from the kick-off as Spain controlled possession. The visitors defended with everyone behind the ball as the hosts peppered Gillat’s goal.

The Belgium keeper, who was making his debut for his country, watched as shots from Villa and Torres shaved both his posts. Gillat then produced an excellent reflex save to deny David Villa.

On 12 minutes the Spain and Liverpool striker struck the bar with a right-footed shot, but the referee blew his whistle for handball, believing Fernando Torres to have controlled the ball with his arm.

Torres then almost opened the scoring following a quick interchange with Xabi. The midfielder picked out the striker’s run into the box with a perfectly weighted pass, but Torres’ snap-shot flew just wide with the goalkeeper beaten.

Spain were awarded a penalty on 22 minutes as Villa was felled in the area by Van den Borre. The chance to take the lead however was lost as the striker’s spot-kick down the middle of the goal was saved by Gillat. The Belgium keeper, who had dived down to his right-and side, managed to divert Villa’s penalty around the post with an outstretched leg.

Fernando’s pace and direct-running was causing the Belgium back-line all sorts of problems. Vermaelen had been the first player to get booked for a foul on Torres, and there was very little the defender could do when the striker turned him inside-out in the box. Luckily for Belgium the forward’s cross aimed for un-marked Villa was deflected behind.

Spain eventually moved in front four minutes before half-time. A Villa pass found Silva who angled his shot past Gillat. The opening 40 minutes had been one-way traffic and the lead was the least the European champions deserved.

Torres flashed a header just wide, before Villa made it 2-0 for the hosts four minutes after the restart. The striker found the back of the net from the edge of the area with a right-footed shot.

Spain were 3-0 ahead just sixty seconds later. Pique, who had broke forward from defence, beat Gillat from seven yards out.

With the result beyond any doubt, Fernando Torres was substituted on 66 minutes. Just two minutes later Silva grabbed his second of the evening with an excellent strike from outside the area. 4-0 to Spain.

A thrashing looked on the cards as Cesc drove wide before testing Gillat from the edge of the box. There was no respite for Belgium as David Villa hit Spain's fifth with five minutes remaining. Cesc left the Valencia hit-man the easy job of passing into an empty net.

Next-up, Estonia in Merida; Spain’s first shot at securing qualification to the 2010 World Cup finals.


- Match Stats: Spain 5-0 Belgium

Spain: Iker Casillas, Arbeloa (Albiol, 84), Puyol, Piqué, Capdevila, Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi (Cesc, 70), Silva, Villa, Fernando Torres (Riera, 66)

Booked: Busquets, Puyol

Goals: Silva 41, 68, Villa, 49 85, Pique 50

Belgium: Gillet, Van den Borre, Van Buyten, Simons, Vermaelen, Fellaini, Defour, Vertonghen (Decschacht, 30), Hazard (Mirallas, 58), Sonck (De Camargo, 70) Dembele

Booked: Vermaelen, Fellaini