Fernando Torres scored three goals within 20 minutes to give Spain an emphatic victory.
The opening game ended goalless between South Africa and Iraq but Spain produced a dazzling display to brush aside a helpless New Zealand side at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. The All Whites had planned to keep Spain at bay but it took Liverpool striker, Fernando Torres just six minutes to beautifully curl the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.
Spain increased their level of play with quick movement and precise technical ability that left their opponents reeling. The second goal quickly followed when David Villa was played in behind the backline by Reira; the Valencia striker reversed the ball straight onto his compatriot, Torres, to tap the ball for his second on the night.
Torres was then denied a third when Capdevila cut the ball back to Xavi, the latter’s shot was deflected and the Liverpool striker’s header was easily saved by the keeper. Though Torres was not finished as he showed his amazing ability when Joan Capdevila’s curling cross was powerfully headed into the net by the Spaniard. This completed his hat-trick within 20 minutes and was the fastest hat-trick in the competition’s history.
The rout of a frantic first half was polished off by Cesc Fabregas, when poor defending allowed Capdevila to surge into the penalty area and cut the ball back to the Arsenal captain to slot home the fourth goal.
In the second half, Torres inflicted more misery when he turned his marker and drove down the left before crossing the ball into the box. Opportunist striker David Villa was on hand to capitalise on Andy Boytens’s mistake, as he failed to clear the ball, to score the fifth goal and inflict more misery on New Zealand.
The All Whites did redeem themselves in the second half but Spanish keeper Casilas was never really threatened. Poor defending and a lack of resolve cost them but Spain were a different class altogether and proved why they are favourites to win the Confederations Cup.
