Spain hit peak form after Camacho goes for broke

Spanish players and coach Jose Antonio Camacho highlighted the team's strong second-half performance as the key factor in their comprehensive 4-1 victory over Bosnia in their World Cup European group seven qualifier on Saturday.

"Our display in the second half was decisive because we played in a more controlled manner and the goals were a direct result of our domination of the game," said skipper Fernando Hierro.

The scoreline suggested a comfortable victory, but in fact it was only in the last 15 minutes that the Spanish strikers took advantage of a tired Bosnian defence to fire in three late goals.

Although the Real Madrid player emphasised the victory as the most important aspect of the night, he had earlier made sure of his place in the record books.

By scoring Spain's opener and taking his tally of international goals to 27, Hierro became his country's leading scorer -- a remarkable total given that he has played most of his 79 games as a defender.

"I am very proud of the record, but I have to admit that the three points we gained were more important," said Hierro, who could compete in his fourth consecutive World Cup if Spain qualify for next year's tournament in Japan and Korea.

The win sent Spain back to the top of group seven with 13 points from five matches, two ahead of Austria and four ahead of Israel.

Spain did not have everything their own way, though, against the skilful Bosnians and Mirsad Beslija's 41st-minute deflected shot put them right back into the match as the game went into the second half.

Dangerous on the counter attack and disciplined in defence, the Bosnians looked as though they might hold out for a hard fought draw.