David Villa showed just why FC Barcelona doled out $49 million last month to pry him away from Valencia, scoring two goals as Spain displayed fluid, attacking football to tame former colony Honduras 2-0 at Ellis Park here on Monday.
Spain played sublime football at times and could have run up a cricket scoreline were it not for an erratic touch in front of goal.
Even Villa was guilty of missing a second-half penalty, but all was forgiven as the stands drowned in red and yellow enjoyed every second of the crisp ground passing of Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets, the ease with which Xabi Alonso hit precise long balls to the players on the wings and the daredevilry of Villa on the left flank and the frail Jesus Navas on the right.
Striker Fernando Torres, in his first start since he went under the knife in April, looked a little rusty and could have scored a hat-trick himself if he had been more accurate.
Villa set things rolling in the 6th minute. The striker got the ball 35 yards out, took a few strides forward and when no one closed him down hit a thunderous strike that rattled the crossbar and rebounded to safety.
In the 17th minute the 28-year-old scored one of the most creative goals of the tournament. A long cross from Gerard Pique found Villa on the left flank. He ran towards two defenders and hoodwinked them with his twinkle toes and cut into the penalty box. He drew a third defender into a tackle and evaded it with ease, flicking the ball to the outside from the instep of his boot, and fired a curling shot which goalkeeper Noel Valladares could do nothing about.
Villa doubled the advantage in the 51st minute as a swift counter yielded him his 40th international goal — four goals shy of Raul’s all-time Spanish record.
Xavi ran from inside his half to the Honduran penalty box, and caressed the ball to Navas on the right. The Sevilla winger cut the ball back to Villa on the edge of the penalty box. The striker’s shot took a deflection of Osman Chavez’s knee and sailed into the net.
Villa had a great chance to complete his hat-trick on the hour mark. Dazzling footwork by Navas left Emilio Izaguire with no chance but to foul him and the referee pointed to the spot. However, Villa sent the penalty wide even as the ’keeper dived the wrong way.