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World Cup, group stage

Spain2 - Honduras 0

Spain's World Cup campaign is back on track after a 2-0 victory over Honduras in their second group game. Del Bosque's side were keen to show their worth after the disappointment of their opening defeat against Switzerland, and within minutes David Villa fired a long shot against the bar. Sergio Ramos headed another good chance over, and with just over a quarter of an hour gone Villa picked up a long ball from Xabi Alonso out on the left wing and cut past two defenders to fire a shot past Valladares. Fernando Torres was accompanying Villa up front, and he failed to convert three more chances in a five minute period later in the first half. But six minutes after the restart Villa got his second of the night after Navas passed across following a quick counter-attack, the striker's shot taking a deflection off Chávez to wrong-foot the keeper. Ramos fired a shot inches wide a minute or so later, and Villa should have completed his hat-trick when he drove a penalty wide of the post after Navas was tripped inside the area. Fábregas came on for Xavi and had a shot cleared off the line within seconds of making his appearance, and Ramos and Villa could both have scored after that. A couple of goals short of what it could have been, but with Chile only winning by a single goal against Switzerland, a win on Friday against the South Americans will see Spain in to the last sixteen. Nothing is certain, but if they keep up this form they should be there. (21.06.10)