World Cup friendlies round-up: Villa brace hands Spain victory

Sport360 staff 14:59 08/06/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Still got it: David Villa stakes his claim for a place with a brace against El Salvador.

    David Villa scored twice as Spain defeated El Salvador 2-0 on Saturday in their final World Cup warm-up match before they launch the defence of their title in Brazil.

    The Atletico Madrid striker netted a header in the 60th minute and added the clincher in the 87th minute, producing his 57th and 58th career goals for the Spanish national side.

    Villa opened the scoring after a pass to Sergio Ramos pulled Salvadoran goalkeeper Derby Carrillo to his left and away from the posts. Ramos headed the ball back into the heart of the penalty area and Villa nodded it into the unguarded goal.

    Villa, who is set to play in Australia later this year before joining a new Major League soccer team in New York next year, made sure of the win three minutes from time.

    England manager Roy Hodgson breathed a sigh of relief after his team emerged unscathed from a bruising goalless draw with Honduras on Saturday.

    A match interrupted by a lightning storm also saw plenty of sparks on the pitch with a number of full-blooded challenges that would have given Hodgson some anxious moments.

    Honduras had Brayan Beckeles sent off in the 66th minute for a second bookable offence but will take heart from a battling display and a clean sheet after losing their previous two warm-up games 4-2 to Israel and 2-0 to Turkey.

    England created several openings but failed to take advantage with Daniel Sturridge the main culprit but Hodgson was now looking forward to getting down to the main business at hand.

    Belgium completed their World Cup warm-up with a late 1-0 victory over Tunisia. Dries Mertens grabbed the only goal of the game just two minutes from time.

    Lionel Messi got himself on the score-sheet as Argentina defeated Slovenia 2-0. The Barcelona superstar scored the second with 15 minutes left to play, following up a first-half strike from Ricardo Alvarez.

    A solitary goal from Edgar Salli ensured Cameroon defeated Moldova 1-0.

    Recommended