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Friendly international

Spain 5 - Venezuela 0

Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos (Puyol 61'), Pique, Jordi Alba; Xabi Alonso (Xavi 61'), Busquets, Fàbregas (Muniain 75'); David Silva (Jesús Navas 61'), Llorente (Soldado 46'), Iniesta (Cazorla 46'). 4-3-3.
Venezuela: Dani Hernández; Rosales, Vizcarrondo, Amorebieta, Quijada (Rolf Feltscher 71');Julio Álvarez (César González 59'), Vitali (Flores 82'), Rincón, Arango (Greco 89'); Miku (Túñez 66'), Rondón (Frank Feltscher 78'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 36. Iniesta. Steered shot wide of Hernández after Fàbregas laid ball across.
2-0. 40. Silva. Picked up Fàbregas return pass and struck shot across keeper.
3-0. 50. Soldado. Turned ball in on near post after Cazorla pased in from by-line.
4-0. 54. Soldado. Got on the end of Arbeloa cross to turn shot wide of Hernández.
5-0. 84. Soldado. Turned ball in from close to goal after Alba crossed in from left.

A comfortable victory for Spain against Venezuela in their last match before the Euro 2012 squad is announced this summer, Soldado in particular staking his claim for a place in Del Bosque's squad with a second half hat-trick.

The Valencia striker had been called up for the first time in five years to replace the off-form Fernando Torres, and within ten minutes of coming on at the break he had his name on the scoresheet twice, the first after a quick passing move which fellow substitute Cazorla finished off, and the second after his ex Real Madrid team mate Arbeloa crossed in from the right.

Spain had started well, Ramos heading against the bar and Llorente and Iniesta both firing shots at Dani Hernández before Iniesta picked up a pass from Fàbregas to open the scoring. And shortly before half time Manchester City's David Silva made it two after combining with Fàbregas before firing an angled shot past the keeper.

Soldado had a first chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Athletic Bilbao's Amorebieta was sent off for pulling him back in the area, but Hernández guessed correctly and kept out his spot kick. However with six minutes to go Jordi Alba nutmegged his marker before putting the ball behind the defence for Soldado to beat the Valladolid keeper once again.

Torres may be off the radar and David Villa struggling to recover from his injury in time for the summer tournament, but with Soldado, Llorente and Negredo (and 19 year-old Muniain making his debut tonight), Spain are certainly not short of replacements.

Just for the record, Venezuela included six La Liga players in their squad, Dani Hernández (Valladolid), Amorebieta (Athletic), Túñez (Celta), Julio Alvarez (Numancia), Miku (Getafe) and Rondón (from tonight's hosts Málaga), with ex Mallorca midfielder Arango also in the side. Home from home really!