Spain douse visitors' verve

Spain 2-0 Denmark
Best friends Fernando Morientes and Raúl González both scored as Spain defeated Denmark at El Molinón in Gijon. The match allowed home coach Iñaki Sáez to hone his preparations for UEFA EURO 2004™, making seven second-half changes.

Creditable performance
The last time Spain - who started with a new front pairing of Morientes and Málaga CF's Salva Ballesta - played a Scandinavian side they beat Norway 3-0 to seal qualification for Portugal. Tonight they performed equally as creditably, largely dictating the pace and combining neat work in the centre with incisive breaks down the flanks.

Initial exchanges
Denmark, however, were lively during the initial exchanges and worked a series of dangerous openings. Martin Jørgensen found himself unmarked in the second minute but could only direct his shot at a defender with time and space on his side. Peter Madsen's header was well saved by goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares in the 12th minute and Thomas Gravesen then drove in an effort from distance which scurried wide.

Morientes goal
Morientes, though, looked in good shape after a fine season on loan at AS Monaco FC and it was no surprise when he opened the scoring on 22 minutes. He rose high above his marker to steer a perfect header past the despairing grasp of goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen following a precise left-wing cross from the impressive Joan Capdevila. Sáez's charges almost doubled their advantage in their next forward surge as Xabi Alonso's corner dipped dangerously into the box and Joseba Etxeberria was centimetres away from tucking in.

Spirited reaction
Denmark mounted a spirited comeback during the remainder of the half but lacked the necessary conviction to secure the leveller. On 27 minutes Madsen was wayward with another header with the goal at his mercy, after Brian Priske had done well to drive in a cross, while Claus Jensen and Jesper Grønkjær both went narrowly wide with shots from distance.

Second-half changes
With Raúl, Fernando Torres and Vicente Rodríguez all on at the start of the second half, another goal was always on the cards. Denmark worked tirelessly to win possession and establish a foothold but it was not long before the match slipped away.

Lead doubles
Spain's all-time leading scorer, Raúl announced a warning of his intentions with a long-range shot in the 54th minute. And six minutes later the striker doubled the lead with a typical strike for his 38th international goal, outstretching a leg to tap in a low cross from Torres. Nine minutes on, he could have collected his second of the evening, forcing an athletic fingertip save from Sorensen.