New Zealand 0 - 5 Spain
Fernando Torres scored a
first-half hat-trick as tournament favourites Spain delivered an
impressive statement of intent with a 5-0 thrashing of New Zealand
in their opening match of the Confederations
Cup.
The Liverpool striker netted three times inside 17 minutes to
put the European champions in the driving seat before Arsenal's
Cesc Fabregas added a fourth and in-demand Valencia star David
Villa completed the rout in Rustenburg.
Torres opened the scoring in the sixth minute when curling in
from 18 yards, having been offered time and space when receiving
Villa's pass.
Spain boss Vicente del Bosque then saw his attacking dynamic duo
combine again on 15 minutes as Villa squared for Torres to convert
from close range.
New Zealand were wretched and offered little threat as Torres
ensured he would be taking the match ball home with only 17 minutes
on the clock when heading his third of the night.
Arsenal captain Fabregas (24) then capped an excellent period of
keep-ball when adding a fourth from six yards as Spain continued to
stroll against their Group A opponents.
Three minutes after the interval, Villa - who has been linked
with Real Madrid and Chelsea - wrapped up the scoring when taking
advantage of a horrible Andrew Boyens' error.
Hosts South Africa were held to a surprise draw with Iraq in
Group A's early kick-off.
