Spain secure nervy success

By Graham Hunter at the Olympic stadium

Spain 2-1 Peru
The home side overcame an uncomfortable opening 45 minutes in Barcelona to defeat Peru thanks to goals from Joseba Etxeberria and Rubén Baraja.

Sáez dilemma
For Iñaki Sáez the match offered further confirmation that his Spanish team remain one of the most potent sides in Europe – when they click. But Nolberto Solano's early goal and the work ethic of the visiting Peruvian side also hinted at why Spain only qualified for UEFA EURO 2004™ via the play-offs, and gave Sáez food for thought ahead of his side's meetings with Greece, Russia and hosts Portugal this summer.

Lone striker
The visitors largely controlled the first half, and thoroughly vindicated the tactics of coach Paulo Autori de Mello, who opted to leave FC Bayern München's Claudio Pizarro on his own up front, with Andrés Mendoza and Roberto Palacios offering close support whenever the South American side had the ball. The formation kept full-backs Carles Puyol and Michel Salgado fully occupied, and ensured an uncomfortable opening for the Spanish defence.

Wingers relieve pressure
With the back four under pressure, it was left to wingers Vicente Rodríguez and Etxeberria to provide some relief, and from the former's cross Juan Carlos Valerón might have given the home side an 18th-minute lead.

Spain shocked
Baraja had already tested Peruvian goalkeeper Oscar Ibáñez but, after Iker Casillas had saved well from John Galliquio's header, it was the visitors who opened the scoring. Carlos Zegarra was the provider, finding Mendoza on the right and the Club Brugge KV forward's cross was met by Solano, whose volley looped over Casillas and into the net.

Casillas called upon
The goal sent the sizable Peruvian support wild with delight, and De Mello's side might have doubled their advantage minutes later as Palacios and Pizarro combined effectively to send Martín Hidalgo away down the left. The full-back's ferocious shot from distance forced Casillas to touch the ball on to the crossbar.

Baraja boon
Baraja led the Spanish fightback, winning the ball in midfield and finding Valencia CF team-mate Vicente. The winger's cross from the left deflected off Galliquio and dropped perfectly for Etxeberria to volley spectacularly past Ibáñez. Two minutes later, the home side were in front. Etxeberria rolled a corner short to Vicente and his cross was met by the head of Baraja, who made no mistake.

Half-time substitutions
Both coaches used the half-time interval to alter their lineups, with eight substitutions in total. Despite the wholesale changes, it took RCD Espanyol striker Raúl Tamudo – in front of his home support – just over 90 seconds to make an impact. Running on to Puyol's pass, the substitute turned Galliquio twice and rolled his shot beyond Ibáñez only for the ball to rebound from the far post.

Defensive solidity
With Puyol switched from left- to right-back and Raúl Bravo, a natural left-back, replacing Salgado, Spain looked more secure but less creative or direct once Baraja and Etxeberria had left the pitch.