Spain edge out battling Belgium

Fernando Torres scored two goals in three second-half minutes to keep Spain second in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 7 while ending Belgium's slender hopes of a place in Germany.

Inspired substitution
Spain were forced to work hard for their win, however, after spending much of the first period penned inside their own half. Needing to reshuffle his side, Luis Aragonés made a double substitution on 52 minutes, introducing José Antonio Reyes and David Villa. The change soon paid dividends with Arsenal FC striker Reyes twice crossing for Torres to score in the space of three minutes.

Belgium dominant
Belgium were unable to recover from the double blow and the game eventually fizzled out – a far cry from the opening exchanges. The home side, with brothers Emile and Mbo Mpenza paired together for only the fifth time in attack, started the game in some style, and Bart Goor and Thomas Buffel both fashioned decent opportunities in a frenetic opening ten minutes.

Pivotal moment
Spain weathered the early storm and thought they had taken the lead when David Albelda found the net before half-time but the effort was ruled out for handball. But it was not until the introduction of Villa and Reyes that the game was turned on its head, and within three minutes the latter produced a low cross for Torres to tap in from point-blank range.

San Marino finale
The pair combined again shortly after to score a near-identical goal and although Rubén Baraja headed against the post late on, Aragonés's side cruised to victory. They now travel to San Marino where victory on Wednesday will seal a top-two finish, while Belgium face Lithuania knowing they have missed their second successive major tournament.