Spain's King of Shots stunned impressive Chile with a 40-yard
lob for the most spectacular goal of the World Cup so
far.
It set the tournament favourites on the way to topping Group H
and a last-16 date with neighbours Portugal on Tuesday in Cape
Town.
But the stylish Spanish display and a cracking match was tainted
by shameful playacting from Fernando Torres.
The Liverpool striker made a dreadful meal of a light clip on
the back of his heel by Chile's Marco Estrada and got the
midfielder sent off.
The win means Spain neatly sidestep Brazil in their next match
as their quest to become European and world champions gathers
pace.
Both teams raced out of the blocks like sprinters after hearing
the starter's gun.
Torres went close with two chances in the first six minutes
while Chile threatened through former Liverpool man Mark Gonzalez
and Estrada.
The breakthrough came after 24 minutes when Torres chased down a
long ball from Xabi Alonso.
Chile keeper Claudio Bravo raced out of his box to clear. But he
failed to put the ball into touch and Villa, lurking on the wing,
curled a beautiful left-foot shot over the keeper and into the
net.
Torres also had a hand in Spain's second on 37 minutes.
The Liverpool man produced a neat backward pass at pace to allow
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta to play a one-two with Villa and bury a
second goal.
But as Iniesta netted, Torres went down under Estrada's tackle
and lay prone for several minutes while the Chilean got a second
yellow card.
Chile still did not give up and in the 47th minute heaped
pressure on Spain when sub Rodrigo Millar netted with a deflected
shot.
Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque refuses to believe his side have
the easy option facing Portugal in the last 16 instead of
Brazil.
He said: "Anyone who watched that earlier match saw how Portugal
controlled Brazil, and had excellent counter-attacking
opportunities.
"I think we've overcome a very difficult time for Spain. We were
very disturbed emotionally by that defeat to Switzerland but we are
more optimistic now."
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STAR MAN - David Villa (Spain)
Chile: Bravo 6, Isla 6, Medel 6, Ponce 4, Jara
6, Vidal 7, Estrada 6, Gonzalez 8, Sanchez 8, Valdivia 7,
Beausejour 8. Subs: Paredes (Gonzalez 46) 6, Millar (Valdivia 46)
7, Orellana (Sanchez 65) 6. Booked: Estrada, Medel, Ponce. Sent
off: Estrada.
Spain: Casillas 6, Sergio Ramos 6, Pique 6,
Puyol 6, Capdevila 6, Xavi 7, Busquets 7, Alonso 7, Iniesta 8,
Torres 4, Villa 9. Subs: Fabregas (Torres 55) 6, Martinez (Alonso
73) 6.
