World Cup 2010 - Qualifying matches

Estonia 0 - Spain 3

Estonia:Londak; Barengrub, Jaager, Piiroja, Lindpere (Klavan 75'); Kruglov, Kink (Purje 59'), Dmitrijev, Vunk, Vassiljev; Voskoboinkov (Saag 73'). 4-5-1.
Spain: Casillas; Sergio Ramos (Iraola 53'), Puyol, Juanito, Capdevila; Cazorla, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta (Riera 79'); David Villa (Cesc Fábregas 70'), Fernando Torres. 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 33. Juanito. Headed wide Xavi free kick on through hands of keeper.
0-2. 38. David Villa (penalty). After Barengrub brought down Torres inside area.
0-3. 69. Puyol. Headed ball back in to net after Torres header came off bar.

Spain beat Estonia 0-3 on Saturday night to remain at the top of group V on maximum points. The two sides were meeting for the first time ever, and although Spain were expected to win comfortably, Casillas had to be on his toes to keep out Voskoboinkov early on. Vicente Del Bosque's side took the lead however with just over half an hour gone when Juanito headed Xavi's long free kick past Londak. And five minutes later they went two up, David Villa converting a penalty after his strike partner Fernando Torres was brought down in the area by Barengrub.

That settled their nerves, and Londak did well to keep out Xavi before the break. Casillas was called upon after the restart though to save from Vassiljev, and Voskoboinkov rounded the keeper soon afterwards only to shoot in to the side netting. With twenty minutes to go though Puyol wrapped things up, heading back in to an empty net after Fernando Torres had headed another Xavi free kick against the bar, and Cazorla, Juanito and Riera could all have added to the scoreline later on.

Spain had done enough however for a 26th game in a row without defeat, and the records continue to tumble. In particular "la selección" have gone seven matches now without letting in goal, including of course the Euro quarters, semis and final, the Casillas/Reina combination beating the previous best set by Zubizarreta and Buyo 15 years ago. The hard work begins now though, with a tricky away match against second placed Belgium on Wednesday, followed by a double header against another of the group favourites Turkey next spring. With both teams only two points behind them in the table, they mustn't let complacency set in.