Spain prove too strong for Uruguay

A 3-1 victory against Uruguay in Doha ensured world and European champions Spain warmed up for March's FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the best possible manner. 



With games at home to Finland and away to France looming at the end of next month, La Roja signalled their intent by overcoming the South American champions thanks to Pedro Rodríguez's double and a Cesc Fàbregas opener which was cancelled out by Club Atlético de Madrid's Cristian Rodríguez. 

Looking to extend a 17-match unbeaten run stretching back to their 1-0 reverse in England in November 2011, Spain started strongly and took the lead shortly after the quarter-hour when Uruguay's Galatasaray AŞ goalkeeper Fernando Muslera could only flap at Fàbregas's goal-bound drive from distance. 


Carles Puyol thought he had marked his 100th international appearance with a goal but his effort was ruled offside. The reprieve sparked Uruguay into action and they equalised in the 32nd minute, Martín Cáceres's through ball finding Rodríguez who spun, held off Puyol, and rolled a shot under Víctor Valdés.

Cheered on by a full house at the Khalifa International Stadium in the Qatari capital, La Roja forged in front after the restart with defender Diego Godín's error punished by the FC Barcelona triumvirate of Sergio Busquets, Gerard Piqué and finally Pedro Rodríguez, whose accurate shot from the right went wide of Muslera and in at the far post.

Equalling László Kubala's record of 68 games in charge of Spain, Vicente del Bosque offered debuts to César Azpilicueta, Isco and Mario Suárez but it was the old guard of Fàbregas and Pedro who combined again to put the UEFA EURO 2012 winners 3-1 ahead. A quick counterattack led to David Villa finding Fàbregas on the left and his cross into the six-metre area was nudged in by Pedro for his 11th goal in 24 international outings.