Spain beat Australia 3-0 at the Arena de Baixada in Curitiba on Monday afternoon.
David Villa opened the scoring in the first half before second half goals from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata made it a comfortable win for La Roja.
In an energetic start to the match, Spain were put on the back foot and pressed heavily by the Socceroos.
Spain were unable to assert their dominance early on the match with Australia’s defensive coverage being critical.
Spain continued to look toothless going forward with veteran David Villa only being able to create some half-chances.
La Roja seemed to regain their dominance starting from when midfielder Santi Cazorla had a shot that was blocked by defender Alex Wilkinson.
Spain were certainty in control of the contest now and a 20th minute free kick by Andres Iniesta was wasted although seconds later the midfielder made a wonderful pass over the Australian defence to Villa only for it to be blasted wide.
Australia’s back four was placed through a testing spell yet again when Villa played in Jordi Alba in the box.
Australia coped with the ever-increasing pressure as goalkeeper Matt Ryan blocked Alba’s powerful shot out.
Going forward, the Socceroos couldn’t cease upon any opportunity and Australia were nearly made to pay when a low Villa cross was missed from only a couple of yards out by Fernando Torres.
On the 36th minute Iniesta picked out a world-class pass to find teammate Juanfran who later cut backed to find Spain’s overall top goal scorer in Villa who took his chance by opening the scoring with a back heel flick.
Only moments after the Spain goal and Pepe Reina is forced into action with a deep cross coming in from the left-side from Australia.
The cross was nearly capitalised upon by Adam Taggart who went sliding in after a half-clearance by Raul Albiol and Sergio Ramos but Reina stood tall, clearing any danger.
A free kick by Tommy Oar produced nothing as it was easily cleared and then caught by Pepe Reina.
Matt Ryan later regained his confidence when he saved Alba’s cross from coming in.
Koke tried to make the scoreline 2-0 with a long rang effort, but he couldn’t and forced a corner instead.
Minutes from the half time break and Australia were beaten again as Cazorla tried a chip shot but it was knocked clear by defender Ryan McGowan.
At the start of the second half, Australia made their first substitution with Ben Halloran replacing Taggart.
The match was slow and both teams were able to make opportunities, Spain took a while to settle back down into their rhythm of the first half which saw them produce their first goal.
Ramos put in a tackle to dispossess Oar in the penalty area and concede a corner and Oar was injured by his opponent in the challenge, with the Australian damaging his knee.
James Triosi was the second substituion made by Ange Postecoglou replacing the injured Oar and was able to make an impact for his team.
Midfielder Matt McKay let fly with a volley from the edge of the box and the delivery was only half-cleared,Australian captain Mile Jedinak’s shot was also dealt with by being easily kept out.
Cesc Fabregas was introduced in the 68th minute replacing Santi Cazorla, seconds after the introduction, Iniesta made another fabulous pass which was through pierced the Australian defence finding Torres who shot the ball neatly passed Ryan in the 69th minute.
A cross by Fabregas caught out the Australian defence by finding Juan Mata who later sealed the victory for La Roja in the 82nd minute by making it three.
The two substitutions Fabregas and Silva linked up together when a clip ball went into the box with Silva falling onto the ball only to send a low drive inches wide of making a fourth goal.
Iniesta again showed why he is world class with another beautiful pass into the box but was mobbed up by the Australians.
Once Spain contained and maintained control their was no going back for the 2010 World Cup champions who held the game on their terms for most of the game, Australia started brightly but could not match Spain for the distance.
Both teams leave this year’s World Cup in Brazil with Spain in 3rd position and Australia in 4th respectively.
