Spain grab rousing 3-2 win over Ivory Coast
Spain twice came from behind for a 3-2 victory at home to African Nations Cup runners-up Ivory Coast in a pulsating World Cup warm-up in Valladolid on Wednesday.
Spain twice came from behind for a 3-2 victory at home to African Nations Cup runners-up Ivory Coast in a pulsating World Cup warm-up in Valladolid on Wednesday.
Centre back Juanito grabbed the winner five minutes from time when he headed in low past keeper Jean-Jacques Tizie after a corner to help his side extend their unbeaten run to 19 matches under Luis Aragones.
"People will have enjoyed a game against a very good side," said a satisfied Aragones. "It was difficult because physically they are very strong, but we created more chances than them and played better too."
Ivory Coast coach Henri Michel said he was pleased with his side's performance despite the defeat.
"Without playing a great game we got a decent result," said the Frenchman. "We could have prevented their three goals and we didn't have our first-choice defence out."
"Spain are a young team who haven't lost for two years and we need to play good sides like this if we are to prepare for the World Cup in the best possible way."
Michel's side took the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute when striker Abdelkader Keita cracked the ball past Iker Casillas at the far post after the Spanish defence had failed to deal with a cross from midfielder Kanga Akale.
Spain were back on level terms eight minutes later after some great work by Cesc Fabregas, who at a little over 18 became the youngest player in 70 years to make his debut for the full national side.
The Arsenal midfielder picked the ball up outside the area, skipped past Arthur Boka and cut a pass back to striker David Villa who headed in at the second attempt after his first shot was blocked by the keeper.
Fabregas showed no sign of first night nerves with an impressive debut, running the show for Spain in midfield and constantly probing for gaps in the Ivory Coast defence.
Right back Sergio Ramos went close to putting Spain in front with a diving header and Luis Garcia was denied by a fine reflex save from Tizie a few minutes later.
The Ivorians, who have been handed a daunting draw against Argentina, Serbia & Montenegro and the Netherlands in Group C at the World Cup, caught Spain cold once again at the start of the second half.
Substitute striker Bonaventure Kalou teed up a pass from Arouna Kone outside the area and then sent a spectacular dipping volley over Casillas and high into the net.
Aragones gave Brazilian-born Marcos Senna his debut just before the hour in an attempt to bolster the midfield, but it was Ivory Coast who nearly had the ball in the net again a few minutes later.
Kalou almost made Casillas pay when the keeper strayed out of his area to clear the ball, but the Spain skipper managed to scurry his way back and get his hand to the goal-bound shot.
Spain hit back once more 17 minutes from time when forward Jose Antonio Reyes whipped a curling shot into the far corner after picking up a poor clearance on the edge of the area.
They pressured hard after the goal and got their reward when Juanito headed in to give his side a win that will give them a valuable boost ahead of the World Cup where they face Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia in Group H.