The Liverpool number ‘9’ was substituted early in the first-half as Spain came back from behind to beat Belgium 2-1 in Brussels. The win maintains their 100% record in Group 5 with four wins in four.

Spain were out of the blocks like a shot as Fernando Torres tested Stijnen with a long-range drive. The striker didn’t think twice as he cracked a right-footed effort from 35 yards out, however the Belgium keeper was equal to it, diving down low to his left to push the Spaniard’s fierce shot away.

Belgium replied to Spain’s opening attack with the game’s first goal. Sonck found space in the box to head home completely unmarked. The goal was the first the Spanish national team had conceded since their 2-1 victory over Sweden at the European Championships.

Vicente Del Bosque’s side surged forward, but in the 12th minute Spain suffered a blow. Fernando Torres, who had been very lively during the opening exchanges, pulled-up after he felt a tweak in the back of his left leg. The striker lasted a couple of minutes before being replaced by Arsenal midfielder Cesc.

The game was end-to-end stuff, but it was Spain who levelled with a brilliant solo goal from Iniesta. The midfielder jinked past three Belgium defenders before blasting the ball into the roof of the net.

Both teams enjoyed chances in an open second-half as the rain fell heavily in Brussels. Iniesta crashed a shot just over the bar for Spain as Pujol produced an excellent goal-mouth clearance to block Vertonghen’s chip over Casillas.

The game looked like ending in stalemate, until up-popped Villa to head past Stijnen at the far post. The goal, two minutes from time, was a hammer-blow to the home side who had put on a solid display against the European Champions.

Spain suffered a late scare in stoppage- time as Sergio Ramos had to clear a loose ball in the box with Casillas stranded. The Valencia striker’s goal proved enough, as Spain defended their one goal lead to pick-up another three points.


- Match Stats: Belgium 1-2 Spain

Belgium: Stijnen, Vande Borre, Kompany, Simons, Van Buyten (Daems, 46), Vermaelen, Witsel (Van Damme, 72), Vertonghen, Fellaini, Dembele, Sonck (Gillet, 87).

Booked: Simons, Sonck, Vertonghen

Goals: Sonck, 7

Spain:Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Juanito, Capdevila, Senna, Xabi, Cazorla, Iniesta (Guiza, 84), Villa, Torres (Cesc, 15).

Booked: Pujol, Cesc

Goals: Iniesta, 36, Villa, 87