Reigning world champions Spain barely had to break sweat as they coasted to a 2-0 win over Bolivia in the Spanish city of Seville on Friday night.
Fernando Torres opened the scoring with a penalty in the 51st minute, before Andres Iniesta wrapped up the victory six minutes from time with a stunning goal in their FIFA World Cup warm-up match at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
With two weeks to go before they are to open their campaign in Brazil, Spain dominated throughout against unheralded opponents ranked 68th in the world, but — perhaps worryingly — still struggled to find the finishing touch.
Photo: EPA
Bolivia adopted an ultra-defensive formation with five at the back, four across the middle and just one forward, a tactic and mindset that Spain will likely have to overcome in Brazil as well.
Even so, Spain still created many good chances, with Cesar Azpilicueta hitting the outside of the post on the half-hour mark.
With manager Vicente del Bosque yet to announce his final squad for Brazil, this was a chance for certain players to stake a claim, but one who failed to shine was Manchester United’s Juan Mata.
Photo: AFP
Torres, on the other hand, proved a constant menace to the Bolivian backline in his first start for La Roja since the Confederations Cup final almost a year ago.
He had his reward when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul on Javi Martinez, which Torres cooly stroked home.
Substitute Iniesta hit a sublime second in off the post with a sumptuous cross-shot.
There was also a chance to see some of Spain’s future as Ander Iturraspe, who started, and Gerard Deulofeu, who came on in the second half, both made their debuts.
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