Luis Garcia on
fire !
MADRID, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Spain took a giant stride towards
qualifying for their eighth successive World Cup after Luis
Garcia's hat-trick helped them to a 5-1
win over Slovakia in their playoff first leg on Saturday.
The Liverpool winger gave Spain an early lead when he nodded in at
the far post following a Xavi corner and then added a second eight
minutes later with a cool finish after another great assist from
the Barcelona playmaker.
Slovakia briefly got back into the match when substitute Szilard
Nemeth cashed in on a defensive error to make it 2-1, but Fernando
Torres restored Spain's advantage from the penalty spot after
defender Roman Kratochvil was penalised for handball.
Slovakia defender Marian Had received his marching orders for his
protests and they were made to pay when Garcia helped himself to a
third and substitute Fernando Morientes wrapped up an emphatic win
with a trademark header 12 minutes from time.
