Tamudo, whose last appearance for his country came over two years ago, was only involved due to injuries to first-choice strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres during the last week.

However, the Espanyol captain - starting up front on his own - responded in style, scoring Spain's opener and then setting up Sergio Ramos for his side's second just before half-time.

Denmark pulled a goal back in the 87th minute through Jon Dahl Tomasson, but Albert Riera's superb debut goal soon after earned Spain the spoils in Aarhus.

The win means Spain now have 22 points in Group F - the same as leaders Sweden - and are eight clear of fourth-placed Denmark.

Spain took the lead after just 14 minutes when Andres Iniesta drifted a cross into the far post and Tamudo, having eluded his markers, directed a looping header back across the stranded Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and into the net.

That was Tamudo's fifth goal in 10 games for Spain, but he proved he could be a creator as well five minutes before half-time to help Ramos' double the visitors' lead.

A slick first-time pass from Tamudo on the edge of the area put Ramos through on the right and the Real Madrid defender provided an equally classy finish, coolly dinking his shot over the out-rushing Sorensen.

Cesc Fabregas almost made it 3-0 just before the break when his toe-poke from the edge of the box was tipped up into the air by Sorensen before hitting the top of the crossbar.

Spain continued to threaten after the break, with Xavi hitting the side-netting from a free-kick and Tamudo being denied his second by Sorensen.

Denmark were not without their chances either though, and Jesper Gronkjaer blazed a decent opening wide before substitute Nicklas Bendtner was twice left shaking his head in disbelief.

The first time was when Iker Casillas stuck out a foot to somehow keep out his thumping close-range header, before the Arsenal striker went even closer with a superb 18-yard effort that smashed against the far post.

Casillas produced another wonder save with five minutes remaining to keep out Thomas Kahlenberg's header, before the Real Madrid goalkeeper was finally beaten in the 87th minute when Tomasson slotted home Kenneth Perez's lay-back from seven yards out.

Any hopes of a late Danish fightback were ended two minutes later though when Spain substitute Riera marked his international debut with a stunning goal, the Espanyol winger smashing home an unstoppable 20-yard shot into the roof of the net.