Spain claim flattering 2-0 win over Denmark

Goals in each half from Fernando Morientes and Raul gave Spain a flattering 2-0 win over a slick-looking Denmark in a friendly between two Euro 2004 hopefuls on Wednesday.

Monaco striker Morientes marked his return to the national team by scoring with a trademark header against the run of play midway through the first half.

Real Madrid forward Raul doubled Spain's lead on the hour when he poked in from close range after fellow substitute Fernando Torres had teased his way past two defenders and cut back a fine pass from the byline.

Denmark dominated the first half, their lively forward line creating constant problems for the makeshift Spanish back four and their midfield playing some fluent passing football.

But the visitors paid the price for their failure to convert a host of clear chances and it was Spain who took control when coach Inaki Saez brought on most of his first-choice players after the break.

"In the first half we played with a different side to our usual lineup and we had a lot of problems," Saez told radio station Onda Cero after the game.

"They had the best of the play early on but didn't make the most of their chances and we still managed to get a goal in the first half. It was a different story after the break."

Despite the absence of several injured key players it was Denmark who made the better start with winger Jesper Gronkjaer causing problems for the Spanish defence as he swung in several dangerous crosses from the right in the opening minutes.

The visitors should have taken the lead in the 13th minute when defender Brian Priske chipped over a neat cross from the byline to the unmarked Peter Madsen but the striker headed straight into the hands of Spain keeper Santiago Canizares.

Just as Denmark appeared to have Spain on the ropes the home side scored a goal out of the blue.

Defender Joan Capdevila swung in a well judged cross from the left and Morientes outjumped his marker to send a superb pinpoint header inside the far post.

Denmark appeared unfazed by the setback and continued to play the better football in the first half but Madsen squandered another great chance when he headed wide from point-blank range after good work from the impressive Claus Jensen.

Spain looked far sharper after Saez brought on Raul and Torres and the Real Madrid forward issued an immediate warning when he shaved the post with a fine 20-metre effort minutes after stepping on to the pitch.

Six minutes later Raul grabbed his 38th goal in 70 international appearances when he guided home from five metres after Torres had weaved his way in from the right.

Spain remained in control for the rest of the game but Saez will have been disappointed by the way his side were outplayed in the first half.

Spain face hosts Portugal, Greece and Russia in Group A at Euro 2004, while Denmark have been drawn in Group C alongside Sweden, Bulgaria and Italy.