SEVILLE (Spain): Goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente gave Spain a 2-0 win over England in a friendly on Wednesday as substitute David Beckham equalled Bobby Moore's record of 108 caps for an England outfield player.
The match in Seville was a chance for England coach Fabio Capello to assess how far his side has advanced since he took over in late 2007 and the midfield did a good job of closing down Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the opening half hour.
But a careless pass by defender Phil Jagielka let the home side in to score the opener on 36 minutes.
Xabi Alonso picked up the loose ball and fired it to Villa who jinked his way past several England defenders and sent a low shot past David James, the sixth match in a row the Valencia striker has been on target for his country.
Beckham equalled the record of 1966 World Cup winning captain Moore when he came on at half-time at the Sanchez Pizjuan, one of five changes made by Fabio Capello at the break.
The European champions continued to dominate a toothless England in the second half and substitute Llorente doubled their lead when he outleapt the English defenders to nod past Robert Green with just under ten minutes remaining.
England hardly threatened the Spain goal, a long-range effort from Shaun Wright-Phillips and a Carlton Cole shot, both set up by Beckham passes, cleared off the line by Carlos Marchena the only real chances in the second period.
Both sides top their qualifying groups for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with four wins out of four. Spain's next qualifier is against Turkey on March 28 in Madrid and England play Ukraine at Wembley on April 1.
Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Villa-Llorente-give-Spain-win-over-England/articleshow/4115384.cms
The match in Seville was a chance for England coach Fabio Capello to assess how far his side has advanced since he took over in late 2007 and the midfield did a good job of closing down Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the opening half hour.
But a careless pass by defender Phil Jagielka let the home side in to score the opener on 36 minutes.
Xabi Alonso picked up the loose ball and fired it to Villa who jinked his way past several England defenders and sent a low shot past David James, the sixth match in a row the Valencia striker has been on target for his country.
Beckham equalled the record of 1966 World Cup winning captain Moore when he came on at half-time at the Sanchez Pizjuan, one of five changes made by Fabio Capello at the break.
The European champions continued to dominate a toothless England in the second half and substitute Llorente doubled their lead when he outleapt the English defenders to nod past Robert Green with just under ten minutes remaining.
England hardly threatened the Spain goal, a long-range effort from Shaun Wright-Phillips and a Carlton Cole shot, both set up by Beckham passes, cleared off the line by Carlos Marchena the only real chances in the second period.
Both sides top their qualifying groups for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with four wins out of four. Spain's next qualifier is against Turkey on March 28 in Madrid and England play Ukraine at Wembley on April 1.
Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Villa-Llorente-give-Spain-win-over-England/articleshow/4115384.cms
