Spain got their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start under new coach Vicente del Bosque with a defeat of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Murcia.
Solitary goal
David Villa's second-half strike was enough to earn the UEFA EURO 2008™ winners all three points in Group 5. The victory might have been by a wider margin but it was a good opening nonetheless to Spain's bid to become only the second UEFA European Championship holders to lift the FIFA World Cup, after West Germany in 1974.
Off the post
With Fernando Torres and David Silva injured, Del Bosque deployed Diego Capel and Andrés Iniesta on the flanks of a five-man midfield supporting David Villa. It was from the heart of this packed central area that the hosts almost took the lead in the 27th minute, with Marcos Senna's long-range effort rattling the woodwork.
Penalty miss
Yet when La Roja were awarded a penalty after Samir Muratović fouled Capel, Villa's EURO form deserted him as he shot wide of Kenan Hasagić's goal. Scoreless at half-time, Del Bosque's men emerged from the break determined to put that right and within eight minutes Iniesta wriggled clear on the right but directed his attempt straight at Hasagić. Sergio Ramos was also denied by the keeper as he tried to flick the ball in from close range.
Breakthrough
Just before the hour mark, however, Spain had their reward. Villa atoned for his earlier miss by latching on to Iniesta's pass, skipping to the right and sliding in his finish from the tightest of angles. Iniesta went close himself before a link-up between Xavi Hernández and substitute Santi Cazorla almost brought a second goal. No matter: Spain are off the mark in Group 5 and will welcome Armenia to Albacete on Wednesday in good spirits. Bosnia-Herzegovina meet Estonia on the same night.
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