David Villa struck the only goal of the game just after half-time as the European champions made it two wins from two in Group A following Sunday`s 5-0 victory over New Zealand.

Villa`s goal was his 30th for Spain and saw him take over sole possession of second spot in the Iberian nation`s goal-scoring charts, one clear of Fernando Hierro and 14 behind leader Raul.

Today`s result means Spain also extended their unbeaten streak to 34 games, leaving them just one behind the world-record mark of 35 set by Brazil between 1993 and 1996.

Although the latest victory was not as comprehensive as their mauling of New Zealand, Spain rarely looked in trouble against an Iraqi side who started their Confederations Cup campaign with a draw against host nation South Africa.

Spain played with typical patience early on, moving the ball around well and probing their opponents` defence for any sign of an opening, while Bora Milutinovic`s men looked determined to made the European side work hard for any sight of goal.

It took until the 24th minute for Vicente Del Bosque`s side to finally create their first opening - by which time in the game against New Zealand they had already rattled up four goals - and the chance fell to Villa.

Sergio Ramos` deep cross found Villa peeling away from his marker at the far post, but the Valencia man could only find the side-netting with his first-time volley.

After a low-key start where Iraq might have shocked the Spanish when Alaa Abdul-Zehra was denied by Iker Casillas, that Villa chance seemed to tilt the game in Spain`s favour.

They went close through Santi Cazorla`s low left-footed shot soon after before Xabi Alonso fired a decent effort straight at Iraq goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid Kadhim just prior to half-time.

Spain may not have been able to break the deadlock before the interval, but they really should have managed it six minutes after the restart when Villa was handed another opportunity.

The Iraq defence had pushed out and left three Spain players unmarked in front of goal and when Cazorla`s chip into the danger area picked out Villa, a goal looked a certainty.

Fortunately for Iraq, though, Villa`s powerful header was straight at Kadhim, who surely would have been helpless if the ball and been directed either side of him.

Kadhim was not so lucky three minutes later though as Villa was again given room inside the box, and this time the striker made no mistake with his header.

Juan Mata and Joan Capdevila combined down the left and the latter`s cross was glanced home by Villa just inside the far post, earning the in-form hitman his second goal of the tournament and setting Spain on their way to a place in the last four.

After that goal it was largely the Spanish who looked the more likely scorers, and although Alonso, Fernando Torres, Mata and Sergio Ramos could not make the most of their chances, the European champions ran out fairly conformable winners in the end.