Spain virtually secured their place at the Euro 2012 finals with a 3-1 win over Lithuania in Group I on Tuesday.
The world champions maintained their 100 per cent record with their fifth win but they did not have it all their own way.
Xavi’s deflected shot opened the scoring, before Marius Stankevicius levelled for the home side, but an own goal from Tadas Kijanskas and a strike from Juan Mata helped Vicente del Bosque’s side into a commanding position in Group I.
The first 20 minutes belonged to the world champions, and it was no surprise when they broke the resistance of the hosts.
Villa, looking lively after his double on Friday against the Czech Republic, combined with his Barcelona teammate Xavi, and the midfielder’s shot looped off the body of Andrius Skerla and flew into the net.
But the hosts struck a stunning equaliser on 57 minutes.
Indecisive defending from Raul Albiol saw the ball loop into the area, and Valencia’s Marius Stankevicius launched an unstoppable low shot that flew past Iker Casillas and into the corner.
Just as Lithuania began to asset their authority, Spain regained the lead.
Xavi’s through pass found Juan Mata on the left, and his ball across the area looked for Llorente, but instead found the shin of the unfortunate Kijanskas, with his clearance flying into his own net.
The tournament holders sealed the win thanks to the move of the match. Xavi and Silva combined to play in Mata, and he calmly rolled the ball into the net.The Czech Republic recorded their third victory with a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Veteran striker Milan Baros opened the scoring after three minutes when he produced a convincing finish after being played through by captain Tomas Rosicky.
It was the Galatasaray striker’s 39th international goal.
Coming into the game having lost all of their qualifiers for next year’s finals in Poland and Ukraine, Liechtenstein were fortunate to be only 1-0 down at the break after the Czech Republic’s Jan Moravek saw his powerful close-range shot rebound off the bar.
But the Czechs did manage to add to their slender lead with 20 minutes remaining when defender Michal Kadlec rose highest in the penalty area to head home.
Tue 29 March, 2011
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