Goals either side of half-time from Villa assured Spain of their first points in Group H. The European Champions created a sackful of chances, but had to settle for a 2-0 victory over the Central Americans.

Vicente del Bosque named Fernando Torres in the Spain attack alongside David Villa for Monday’s must win clash at Ellis Park. Andres Iniesta and Silva both dropped down to the bench with winger Jesus Navas joining Torres, who played for 70 minutes, in the starting line-up.

Spain started brightly with Villa firing over in the second minute. Torres had a big shout for a penalty turned down in his side’s next attack. Honduras right-back Izaguirre handled Torres’ attempted chip over the defender in the box, but the ref was having none of it.

The European Champions were all over their rivals as a shot from David Villa cannoned back off the crossbar. Spain were looking increasingly dangerous as Torres was next to try his luck with a left-foot effort that was saved by Valladares in the Honduras goal.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 17 minutes. David Villa cut in from the left beating two defenders before shooting into the top corner.

The Red Fury came close to doubling their lead before the break as Torres headed a Ramos cross narrowly over, before firing over the bar after a good run into the area. The striker then had a goal-bound shot charged down by Figueroa as Spain created chance after chance.

Vicente del Bosque’s side made it 2-0 shortly after the break. A shot from Villa from the edge of the box took a slight deflection off a defender before hitting the back of the net.

The Red Fury had a great chance to add a third as the referee awarded Spain a penalty after Navas was caught in the box. Villa fooled the keeper, but his spot-kick drifted inches wide the post.

Second-half substitute Cesc Fabregas had a shot cleared off the line as Spain laid siege to Honduras’ goal.

On 70 minutes Fernando Torres was replaced by Mata as Vicente del Bosque brought on a fresh pair of legs for the striker who was making his first start since April. Spain kept pushing forward looking to improve their goal difference ahead of Friday’s final group fixture against current leaders Chile. Villa was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Chavez and Mata fired inches over from a good position in Spain’s final chance of the game.

The 2-0 result means that a win for Spain against Chile in the final round of group games would move the Red Fury above the South Americans in Group H.


- Match Stats: Spain 2-0 Honduras

Spain: Casillas, Ramos (Arbeloa, 77), Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Navas, Xabi Alonso, Xavi (Fabregas, 65), Busquets, Torres (Mata, 70), Villa

Goals: Villa 17, Villa 50

Honduras: Valladares, Mendoza, Chavez, Figueroa, Izaguirre, Turcios (Nuñez, 63), Wilson Palacios, Guevara, Espinoza (Welcome, 46), Martinez, Suazo (Jerry Palacios, 84)

Booked: Turcios, Izaguirre