Spain squeeze past Puerto Rico

Spain triumphed in their first game since claiming back-to-back UEFA European Championship crowns with a 2-1 win in Puerto Rico.

Just 45 days after lifting the Henri Delaunay Cup in Kyiv, Vicente del Bosque's side stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches thanks to first-half goals from Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fàbregas. Marc Cintrón's 65th-minute strike for the hosts set up a tense finale but Spain held on.

Gerard Piqué was one of four players in the Spain starting XI who began the 4-0 triumph against Italy on 1 July and he almost opened the scoring for La Roja in Bayamón but could only head Cazorla's 12th-minute corner against a post. Club Atlético de Madrid full-back Juanfran was then forced off with a right knee injury, but Spain remained focused, with Fernando Torres and Cazorla bringing the best out of Bill Gaudette in the Puerto Rico goal.

Replacing the rested Xavi Hernández in midfield, Cazorla, who recently completed a move to Arsenal FC, excelled and put visitors ahead three minutes before the break with a low drive that bounced in front of Gaudette. Fàbregas doubled the lead in the last action of the half with a smart volley from Jesús Navas's centre.

Spain conceded for the first time in five matches when Cintrón rose above Sergio Ramos to head past Pepe Reina in the 64th minute, but they were rarely threatened thereafter. Del Bosque's charges begin the defence of their FIFA World Cup crown in qualifying Group I against Georgia on 11 September.