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Silva helps Spain scrape Colombia win

Spain 1-0 Colombia
David Silva's 86th-minute strike earned Vicente del Bosque's world champions a narrow victory against the South Americans in Madrid.

David Silva celebrates scoring Spain's winner against Colombia
David Silva celebrates scoring Spain's winner against Colombia ©Getty Images

Spain 1-0 Colombia
A goal from David Silva four minutes from time was enough for the world and European champions to claim victory in Madrid.

Despite boasting a 100% record in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group I, the Roja had suffered heavy defeats by Portugal and Argentina in their previous two friendly outings, and they came close to slipping up again at the Santiago Bernabéu, with their opponents spurning several presentable opportunities to spring a surprise.

From one such opening, Abel Aguilar had a close-range shot beaten out by Iker Casillas, but soon after that it was Spain's David Villa who was left ruing a missed chance. Looking to take the outright lead in his country's all-time goalscoring charts, the FC Barcelona striker hit the base of a post before scuffing the rebound wide.

The visitors rallied and, either side of the break, Pablo Armero and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado fluffed their lines when well positioned. Home captain Casillas was increasingly called into action as the half progressed, keeping out Fredy Guarín's blast from distance before narrowing the angle of his goal to prevent Hugo Rodallega from finding the target.

With momentum clearly on the side of Hernán Darío Gómez's men, Spain struck on the counterattack, snatching the winner when Santi Cazorla fed Jesús Navas, whose low cross was stabbed in by Silva.

Spain coach Del Bosque said afterwards: "We were facing a very good team who made things uncomfortable for us. The most important thing for me is that I saw a different attitude in my side from the game we lost [4-0] against Portugal and for that I am happy."