FIFA World Cup 2010: Spain Vs Honduras goals from David Villa and Fernando Torres
Tipped as the favourites to win the tournament, the Spaniards bounced back from their shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Swiss, to record a clinical 2-0 win over Central American Honduras at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.
The crucial win in Group H has revived Spain’s hopes of qualifying into the second round of the tournament, as they brushed aside their opponents in a brilliant display of football.
The Europeans were the better team, and were all over their opponents from the outset, with star player David Villa scoring twice, before blowing away the opportunity of scoring a rare hat-trick of goals at the world cup by missing a penalty kick deep into the second half.
For Honduras supporters their return to the biggest stage in football after many years was hardly impressive, as after being beaten 1-0 by Chile, and the defeat against Spain, they languish at the last spot in group H.
A dejected Honduran fan felt his team could have conceded more goals to Spain.
"It was a pretty difficult game however the team tried their best and the game was not boring, it wasn't the heavy defeat we were expecting from Spain. What can I say? We hope to at least beat Switzerland." he concluded.
The Spaniards who are the reigning European champions, returned to their A game after their limp performance in their opener against fellow Europeans Switzerland, yet the win over Honduras has brought them back in the reckoning for the gold trophy.
They will be playing their last group match on Friday against South Americans Chile, while Honduras will take on Switzerland.
Some of the Honduras fans are hoping to steal at least a draw in their last group match against Switzerland, as they feel that their team does not have the fire power to topple any team taking part in the world cup and a draw would be a victory of sorts for the Central Americans.
This year tournament is only the second appearance of Honduras in a world cup, after their participation in the 1982 event held in Spain, where it was eliminated in the group stages.
Meanwhile there was joy and relief amongst the Spanish fans after their win by two goals, thousands of fans gathered at screenings around the country to cheer for their team and they were not disappointed for the second time.
One of the screenings was arranged at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, where thousands of fans camped in to watch the match, supporting and cheering each move made by the Spanish forwards.
The crowd cheered for their two major striking weapons David Villa and Fernando Torres and the team coach formed an attacking strategy, in a bid to score goals against the Central Americans, and the cheering fans had plenty to celebrate as early as the 17th minute of the match when Villa scored a brilliant goal from the left side.
The crowd went ecstatic when Villa scored another goal in the second half, to seal the fortunes of his opponents.
The fans felt that the team was back to its brilliant best and if they continue playing in the same vein, none can deny them the trophy.
One group of fan advised the team to keep their feet firmly on the ground as they still needed to win their last game against Chile, to ensure qualification into the next round.
Once into the second round, the Spanish giants are set for a mouth-watering clash with either five time champions Brazil, or Portugal who signalled their intentions in the tournament with a 7-0 rout of North Korea yesterday.
The fans feel that their team can beat either of the two teams, and should for the time being focus on their match against Chile, to ensure that there are no more hiccups before the knock out stage of the competition.
Tags: