Spain ease to victory in Ecuador

Spain produced a successful response to June's FIFA Confederations Cup final defeat by Brazil with a 2-0 friendly win over Ecuador in Guayaquil. 

Currently top of FIFA World Cup qualifying Group I – which they resume with a fixture away to Finland next month – the Roja took the lead at the Estadio Monumental thanks to Álvaro Negredo's clever flick in the 25th minute. Santi Cazorla added a second after the break for the current world and European champions, who included senior debutants Cristian Tello of FC Barcelona, Real Sociedad de Fútbol's Iñigo Martínez and Club Atlético de Madrid's Koke.  

Still smarting from that 3-0 loss to Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on 30 June, Vicente del Bosque's side started Wednesday's friendly against Ecuador in determined mood. In the opening stages, Negredo fed new Manchester City FC club-mate David Silva whose left-footed strike struck a post.

Andrés Iniesta also found the woodwork as the half progressed but Spain's adventurous play eventually reaped reward when Negredo expertly flicked Cazorla's low centre high into the net. At the other end, goalkeeper Iker Casillas – winning his 149th cap – produced a fine save to deny Segundo Castillo, helping keep it at 1-0 going into the break.

Spurred on by their bright end to the half, the hosts again went close after the restart as Christian Noboa's cross found Enner Valencia, who headed against the upright. Undeterred Spain responded and were 2-0 in front minutes later when Tello accepted Álvaro Arbeloa's pass with a back-heel that found Cazorla and the Arsenal FC man rifled past Máximo Banguera.