SPAIN 4-0 UKRAINE

14 June 2006

Spain made a dream start to their 2006 FIFA World Cup™ campaign with a 4-0 victory over Group H rivals Ukraine in Leipzig on Wednesday, 14 June 2006.

Having waited as long as any team to get their campaign under way, Spain raced out of the starting blocks and were two goals in front inside 17 minutes as Xabi Alonso headed a 13th-minute opener before David Villa doubled the advantage.

If Ukraine thought things could not get any worse they were wrong as they lost Vladyslav Vashchuk to a red card just two minutes into the second half after conceding a penalty for a challenge on Fernando Torres. Villa tucked away the spot-kick and Torres completed the scoring with a spectacular half-volley with nine minutes remaining.

The match:
3': Spain sprang to life with a quick move down their right. Fernando Torres did well to ride one challenge and set up Xavi but the Barcelona midfielder pulled a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.

4': A half-chance fell the way of Ukraine as Vladimir Yezerskyi stretched to get his head to a cross on the edge of the six-yard box but the ball went over the crossbar.

13': The opening goal arrived and it came from the head of Xabi Alonso. A left-wing corner was perfectly delivered to the edge of the six-yard box and the Liverpool man glanced a fine header through a crowd. Oleksandr Shovkovskyi got a hand to the ball, but could only help it in. (1-0)

17': It got better for Spain just four minutes later after they were awarded a free-kick within shooting distance of the Ukraine goal. David Villa curled a shot over the wall and the ball was deflected off the head of Andriy Rusol and into the back of the net. (2-0)

26': Spain were now looking in complete control and playing some very attractive football as the game continued at a fast pace. Torres and Luis Garcia linked well to set up another chance but Ukraine stood firm.

32': Ukraine forced a rare opportunity when Andriy Gusin was picked out on the edge of the penalty area but he was off balance when shooting and the chance went begging.

43': Spain created a great chance to add a third when Villa was sent through, but his low shot hit the legs of Shovkovskyi.

Ukraine down to ten
46': Ukraine were the first European team to qualify for this FIFA World Cup and they started the second half determined to put on a better show as Andriy Voronin attacked down the right and launched an early shot at goal.

47': After breaking into the penalty area, Torres was brought down by Vashchuk and referee Massimo Busacca pointed to the penalty spot before showing the Dynamo Kiev defender the red card.

48': Shovkovskyi got a hand to the ball but could not stop Villa's strike going into the net. (3-0)

55': Down to ten men and three goals behind, Ukraine could have done without the sight of Spain's all-time leading scorer Raul being introduced in place of Villa.

61': Ukraine broke forward in search of a consolation goal and Voronin volleyed the ball inches wide of Iker Casillas' right-hand post.

72': Another chance to reduce the deficit fell the way of Ukraine when record goalscorer Serhiy Rebrov struck the ball over the bar when well placed in front of goal.

81': Spain showed how it should be done with a goal of rich quality as Carlos Puyol took control midway inside the Ukraine half and worked the ball in to Torres who struck a low first-time shot beyond Shovkovskyi from ten yards. (4-0)

88': There was almost a fifth for Spain in the closing stages as substitute David Albelda struck a low shot from the edge of the penalty area which brought a flying save away to his left from Shovkovskyi.

In conclusion:
For just the second time since 1950, 12-times finalists Spain opened their FIFA World Cup campaign with a win. This was a comprehensive and impressive victory against first-timers Ukraine and should fill Luis Aragones's side with confidence. Ukraine's defeat means not one of the teams competing in the FIFA World Cup for the first time has yet managed a win.