Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata were on target to ensure Vicente Del Bosque’s men finished third in Group B, leaving Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos bottom. Two inspirational passes from the master of tiki taka, Andres Iniesta, the first finished off by David Villa and the second by Fernando Torres, paved the way for the former world champions to outclass Australia 3-0 in the final World Cup fixture for both teams. By the time Spain's two substitutes combined - Cesc Fabregas with the cross, Juan Mata with the controlled finish through Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan's legs - the tournament was sadly in thelast stages for World Cup holders.

A match in which both sides had nothing but pride to play for began at a leisurely pace, and it took until the 23rd minute for the first chance to arrive. Jordi Alba was the man afforded it, in space inside the Australian area following a neat flick from Villa, but Maty Ryan dived to his left to repel the little wingback’s strike.

The contest really came to life after the half-hour. Villa collected possession down the left, puzzled Mile Jedinak with step-overs, and squared the ball across goal, only for it to run between Santi Cazorla and Fernando Torres and away from danger.

Villa’s end product didn’t, however, let him down moments later. Andres Iniesta slid a sumptuous pass behind the Socceroos defence for Juanfran to run on to. Rather than rush his cross, the Atletico Madrid right-back looked up, spotted Villa unmarked, and cleverly cut the ball towards him. Spain’s record marksman let it run through his legs before extravagantly flicking it past Ryan and into the back of the net with his right heel.

The second half started at a quicker pace than the first had, but the sides struggled to carve out a meaningful opportunity until the 69th minute. That was when Iniesta uncorked the Aussie backline with one of his patented through-balls, Picking up the ball just outside the box he waited until Torres timed his run perfectly and split the defence, the number ‘9’ taking a touch before sliding a measured shot past Ryan's right hand.


Mark Bresciano, the 34-year-old Socceroos icon who was deemed unfit to start, got a great reception when he came on for what will surely be his last World Cup game, but it was the Roja fans who were cheering on 82 minutes. Cesc Fabregas chipped the ball into Mata, who, from an acute angle, nutmegged Ryan to make it 3-0. Spain had done what Del Bosque had demanded: responded in style following two shocking upsets.


- Match stats:

Australia: Ryan; McGowan, Wilkinson, Spiranovic, Davidson; McKay, Jedinak; Leckie, Bozanic (Bresciano 71’), Oar (Troisi 61’); Taggart (Halloran 46’).

España: Reina; Juanfran, Albiol, Ramos, Jordi Alba; Xabi Alonso (Silva 83’), Koke, Iniesta; Cazorla (Cesc 67’), Villa (Mata 56’), Fernando Torres.

Bookings: Nawaf Shukralla mostró amonestaciones a Ramos 61’, Spiranovic 88’.

Goals:

0-4 (36’) Villa.
0-5 (69’) Torres.
0-6 (82’) Mata.

- Match report by fifa.com