SPAIN completed their build-up Euro 2008 on a winning note after downing the United States in Wednesday's friendly thanks to a second-half goal from Xavi.
Just days after an injury-time strike from Joan Capdevila earned Spain a narrow 2-1 win over Peru, Luis Aragones' men again left it late to beat the US with Xavi netting the only goal of the game 11 minutes from time.
That goal was just reward for the Spanish following an improved second-half display that saw them hit the woodwork twice before finally making the breakthrough, although Aragones' men again found it far from easy.
There was little to separate the two sides in a closely-fought opening 45 minutes in Santander, although US goalkeeper Tim Howard was the busier of the two custodians early on.
He needed to be alert to keep out Xavi's 10th-minute header following a Sergio Ramos cross, before the Everton goalie denied Liverpool forward Fernando Torres with a save that will have pleased the blue side of Merseyside.
Howard's Spanish counterpart Iker Casillas was not without work of his own to do though, and just before the break he did well to put Eddie Johnson's effort behind for a corner after the Fulham forward had evaded the attentions of Carles Puyol.
The half-time break saw both coaches make changes to their line-ups, but it was one of the existing players who had the next goalscoring chance with Johnson going close again with a decent opportunity.
He got on the end of an Eddie Lewis cross from the left but his header drifted wide of goal, letting Spain off the hook.
Soon after that Spain coach Aragones made his third change of the match, sending on left-back Fernando Navarro for his international debut in place of Joan Capdevila.
Navarro therefore became Spain's fourth debutant in two games, with Santi Cazorla, Ruben de la Red and Sergio Garcia all making their first appearances during Saturday's match with Peru in Huelva.
It was difficult to see where a goal was going to come at either end, but Xavi almost provided it in the 62nd minute when his curling free-kick from 25 yards out struck the woodwork with US goalkeeper Brad Guzan - on in place of Howard - little more than a helpless bystander.
That was closest either side had come to a goal up to that point and it seemed to spark the Spanish into life, with Marcos Senna also striking the framework six minutes later.
The Villarreal man picked up a pass from Cesc Fabregas and sent in a right-footed effort that, frustratingly for the home side, struck the post instead of finding the corner of the net.
Spain continued to press forward though, and Xavi and Senna both tried their luck from distance but without reward.
Xavi was not to be denied 12 minutes from time though as he gave Spain the lead with a fine effort.
The Barcelona midfielder showed good control to escape the attentions of his markers before clinically slotting past Guzan for what would prove to be the winning goal.
The visitors pushed on in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but it was not to be with Casillas saving from Johnson late on as the Spanish made it 16 successive matches without defeat.
That goal was just reward for the Spanish following an improved second-half display that saw them hit the woodwork twice before finally making the breakthrough, although Aragones' men again found it far from easy.
There was little to separate the two sides in a closely-fought opening 45 minutes in Santander, although US goalkeeper Tim Howard was the busier of the two custodians early on.
He needed to be alert to keep out Xavi's 10th-minute header following a Sergio Ramos cross, before the Everton goalie denied Liverpool forward Fernando Torres with a save that will have pleased the blue side of Merseyside.
Howard's Spanish counterpart Iker Casillas was not without work of his own to do though, and just before the break he did well to put Eddie Johnson's effort behind for a corner after the Fulham forward had evaded the attentions of Carles Puyol.
The half-time break saw both coaches make changes to their line-ups, but it was one of the existing players who had the next goalscoring chance with Johnson going close again with a decent opportunity.
He got on the end of an Eddie Lewis cross from the left but his header drifted wide of goal, letting Spain off the hook.
Soon after that Spain coach Aragones made his third change of the match, sending on left-back Fernando Navarro for his international debut in place of Joan Capdevila.
Navarro therefore became Spain's fourth debutant in two games, with Santi Cazorla, Ruben de la Red and Sergio Garcia all making their first appearances during Saturday's match with Peru in Huelva.
It was difficult to see where a goal was going to come at either end, but Xavi almost provided it in the 62nd minute when his curling free-kick from 25 yards out struck the woodwork with US goalkeeper Brad Guzan - on in place of Howard - little more than a helpless bystander.
That was closest either side had come to a goal up to that point and it seemed to spark the Spanish into life, with Marcos Senna also striking the framework six minutes later.
The Villarreal man picked up a pass from Cesc Fabregas and sent in a right-footed effort that, frustratingly for the home side, struck the post instead of finding the corner of the net.
Spain continued to press forward though, and Xavi and Senna both tried their luck from distance but without reward.
Xavi was not to be denied 12 minutes from time though as he gave Spain the lead with a fine effort.
The Barcelona midfielder showed good control to escape the attentions of his markers before clinically slotting past Guzan for what would prove to be the winning goal.
The visitors pushed on in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but it was not to be with Casillas saving from Johnson late on as the Spanish made it 16 successive matches without defeat.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Spain complete golden summer with victory over France
Spain, Sweden set for high pressure World Cup semi
