Spain avoid Saudi slip-up
SA2010 favourites Spain left it late to avoid a surprise 3-2 defeat against a spirited Saudi side
Spain were out of sorts in the opening phase, and looked a far cry from the team that stormed their qualification group, racking up tens wins out of ten in the process.
After a strong start, including an early near-miss, Saudi Arabia took a deserved lead on the quarter hour when Osama Hawsawi beat Gerard Pique in the air and powered a header past a floundering Iker Casillas.
Parity and a sense of normality were then restored, when David Villa levelled things up with another headed goal on the half hour from a delightful Iniesta cross.
Both teams emerged unchanged for the start of the second half, and Spain eventually took the lead in the 57th minute when Xabi Alonso slotted home a loose ball from the edge of the box.
The match took another dramatic turn in the 75th minute when Saudi Arabia made it 2-2 as Al Sahlawi's attempted shot took a deflection off Al Namare and left the Spain 'keeper stranded.
With the game entering injury time, Vicente del Bosque's men were handed a reprieve as Fernando Llorente scored the winner to ensure his team's unbeaten run remained intact.
FI
Damn you, Llorente
SA2010 favourites Spain left it late to avoid a surprise 3-2 defeat against a spirited Saudi side
Spain were out of sorts in the opening phase, and looked a far cry from the team that stormed their qualification group, racking up tens wins out of ten in the process.
After a strong start, including an early near-miss, Saudi Arabia took a deserved lead on the quarter hour when Osama Hawsawi beat Gerard Pique in the air and powered a header past a floundering Iker Casillas.
Parity and a sense of normality were then restored, when David Villa levelled things up with another headed goal on the half hour from a delightful Iniesta cross.
Both teams emerged unchanged for the start of the second half, and Spain eventually took the lead in the 57th minute when Xabi Alonso slotted home a loose ball from the edge of the box.
The match took another dramatic turn in the 75th minute when Saudi Arabia made it 2-2 as Al Sahlawi's attempted shot took a deflection off Al Namare and left the Spain 'keeper stranded.
With the game entering injury time, Vicente del Bosque's men were handed a reprieve as Fernando Llorente scored the winner to ensure his team's unbeaten run remained intact.
FI
Damn you, Llorente
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