Flawless Spain undo Armenia
Saturday 10 October 2009
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Goals from Cesc Fàbregas and Juan Mata helped European champions Spain to a 2-1 victory against Armenia in Yerevan that extended their 100 per cent record in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 5.
Stylish opener
Having already achieved qualification for next summer's finals in South Africa with last month's 3-0 win against Estonia, Vicente del Bosque's side were looking to make it nine wins from nine games against bottom-placed Armenia. The visitors started strongly and Xavi Hernández drew a fisted saved from goalkeeper Roman Berezovski before Santi Cazorla sent an effort from the right against a post. In the 33rd minute, the UEFA EURO 2008™ champions made their breakthrough and it was Fàbregas who cleverly lobbed the ball beyond Berezovski and into the far corner after the midfielder had latched onto Xavi's through pass.
Mata winner
The hosts fought back and, to the delight of the home crowd, pulled level shortly before the hour with Robert Arzumanyan rising above the Spanish defence to head Artur Yedigaryan's free-kick past Pepe Reina. The local celebrations were short-lived, however, as Fàbregas sent a slick pass through for Mata, who was upended in the area by the sliding Berezovski. The Valencia CF attacker got to his feet before calmly slotting home his second international goal from the penalty spot as Spain extended their unbeaten run in FIFA World Cup qualifiers to 44 games.
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