World Cup 2010: Spain v Honduras full time report
Spain 2 Honduras 0
David Villa was the star of the show as Spain comfortably swept aside Honduras at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The new Barcelona striker scored in each half, and also missed a penalty, as Spain’s World Cup campaign got back on track following their opening game loss to Switzerland.
Villa beat three Honduran defenders before firing in a stunning opener in the first half, and scored with a deflected effort early in the second period.
His missed penalty – shortly after the hour mark – summed up a night when Spain failed to take their chances though, with the returning Fernando Torres particularly guilty of wasting three good opportunities.
In truth this was about as comfortable a victory as any team will enjoy at this World Cup, but the Spanish will believe that they should have scored more.
They were appealing for an early penalty when Emilio Izaguirre appeared to handle the ball under pressure from Torres, who then snatched at a left footed effort when well placed, before Villa’s stunning 30-yarder smashed back off the crossbar.
There was another penalty shout when Sergio Mendoza shoved Sergio Ramos, who then missed a free header from just four yards following Xavi’s perfect cross.
Iker Casillas – blamed by many for the manner of Switzerland’s winner last week – had little to do all night, but did have to react quickly to deny the onrushing David Suazo, before Villa sublimely struck.
Cutting inside from the left after just 17 minutes, the Barcelona forward effortlessly evaded two Honduran defenders, before sidestepping a third, Osman Chávez, and stretching to hit a stunning right footed effort into the corner of the net.
An excellent Jesús Navas cross then just evaded Xavi, before Ramos’ cross from the right was headed over by Torres. Seconds later, the Liverpool forward outpaced two defenders before firing well over the top of the crossbar.
It was a shock that it was only 1-0 at half time, and Villa wasted little time in doubling that advantage shortly after the break.
After swapping passes with Navas, Villa picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area before, ignoring appeals for a pass from both Torres and Xavi, he struck a right footed effort that deflected off Chávez before beating goalkeeper Noel Valladares.
Villa’s third didn’t look far away after Izaguirre felled Navas in the penalty area shortly before the hour mark, but the forward sidefooted his spot kick wide.
Cesc Fabregas soon appeared from the bench, replacing Xavi, and the Arsenal captain immediately had an effort cleared off the line by Maynor Figueroa after he’d rounded the goalkeeper, before Ramos’ blockbusting effort was deflected wide.
A frustrated Torres was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining, and his replacement Juan Mata was soon firing high and wide, before Navas just failed to pick out Villa with a cross and, in a rare Honduras attack, Ramón Núñez shot wide.
Villa was on a mission to claim a hat-trick – and erase memories of his penalty miss – but was denied by excellent last ditch interventions from first Figueroa and then Mendoza, and he – and Spain – had to settle for just two goals come the full time whistle.
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