Iniesta strike sinks England

England 0-1 Spain

Qualifying problems
Both sides were looking for a morale-boosting result prior to the resumption of their faltering UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaigns. England sit third in Group E after drawing at home to F.Y.R. Macedonia and losing in Croatia, while Spain are fifth in Group F after consecutive defeats in Northern Ireland and Sweden.

Valencia influence
England were quick to test the Spain defence with Kieron Dyer, making his first international appearance since March 2005, almost providing Peter Crouch with a tap-in following a surging run and Iker Casillas parrying a 18-metre drive from Michael Carrick. Spain's starting lineup contained five players from Valencia CF and a move involving three of those should have yielded the opening goal on 17 minutes. David Villa and Miguel Ángel Angulo combined to set up Fernando Morientes only for the striker to blast wildly over with just debutant Ben Foster to beat.

Iniesta winner
England's best chance of a tepid first half came on 38 minutes when Steven Gerrard floated a pass into the path of Crouch but the target man dragged his shot wide. Villa continued to look the most threatening player for the visitors after the interval, with the forward forcing Foster to push away his effort. Spain finally made the breakthrough on 63 minutes when substitute Iniesta scored his first goal for his country, hammering in from just inside the penalty area after England had failed to clear Villa's cross.

Lacking creativity
England attempted to assert pressure on the Spain back line in the closing stages of the game but Steve McClaren's side could not create any clear opportunities. Both teams' attention will now turn to UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying with England away to Israel and Spain hosting Denmark on 24 March.