Spain sets winning record by beating South Africa 2-0

Spain sets winning record by beating South Africa 2-0

Spain's Fernando Torres reacts during the Confederations Cup soccer match against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein June 20, 2009.

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 20 -- European champions Spain set a new winning record on Saturday by defeating South Africa 2-0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup in the central South African city of Bloemfontein.

The victory improved Spain's winning run to 15, breaking the previous record of 14 shared by Australia from 1996 to 1997, Brazil in 1997 and France from 2003 to 2004.

Spain also equaled the world record of 35 games unbeaten established by Brazil between 1993 and 1996.

Both sides, however, have been qualified for the semifinals of the intercontinental tournament, as Asian champions Iraq and its Oceanian counterpart New Zealand came to a scoreless draw in South Africa's economic hub of Johannesburg on Saturday, crushing the hope of the Lions of Mesopotamia to march into the second stage.

Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque reacts during the Confederations Cup soccer match against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein June 20, 2009.

David Villa offered Spain the lead in the 52nd minute as he took a high cross on the chest and hit it into the bottom right corner. Twenty minutes later, the pride of Spaniards was whipped up again as substitute Fernando Llorente fired inside the near post.

Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque said he was happy with the way things had gone and they had an excellent team.

"Winning 15 matches in a row is a huge success by this team and we want to go on like this," Del Bosque added.

As the hottest favorite in the Confederations Cup, Spain boasts the strongest line-up in the world, including players from Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, and English Premiership stars like Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas.

Spain's Fernando Torres looks on during their Confederations Cup soccer match against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein June 20, 2009.

For South African fans, the defeat was all bad news as the hosts joined the big four of the intercontinental tournament following a goalless draw between Iraq and New Zealand.

Substitute Katlego Mashego raised the hope of home fans at the very end of the match as he dodged Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina and shot the ball into the net. But the score was not counted as Mashego had been obviously offside, leaving South Africa awaiting the result of the Iraq-New Zealand group match.

South African coach Joel Santana had said ahead of the match that it would be a fantastic opportunity to play against one of the best teams on the planet.

South Africa's Aaron Mokoena gestures to his supporters at the end of their Confederations Cup soccer match against Spain at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein June 20, 2009.
(Xinhua)