Monday Jun 19 2006 22:19
Spain came from behind to beat Tunisia 3-1 and seal a place in the last 16 of the World Cup, with Fernando Torres netting twice to lead the fightback.
Spain made a bright start and five minutes in Luis Garcia nodded the ball back to David Villa and he cracked a 20-yarder inches wide of the post, with Ali Boumnijel well beaten.
However, three minutes later Tunisia took a shock lead as Zied Jaziri made a break down the right, causing havoc, and after Iker Casillas saved his initial shot, Jaouhar Mnari slotted home at the second attempt.
With 26 minutes played Villa's throughball almost found Torres, but Hatem Trabelsi covered superbly and snuffed out the danger.
Five minutes before the break Xabi Alonso fired an excellent 30-yarder narrowly wide of goal and soon after Torres' effort from 20 yards flew just over with the aid of a deflection.
From the corner Alonso's header was superbly blocked on the line by Anis Ayari.
Luis Aragones made a double change at the interval, bringing on Cesc Fabregas and Raul, and after an equaliser proved elusive, Joaquin entered the fray 11 minutes into the second period.
Just past the hour Mariano Pernia fired in a 35-yard cross-cum-shot which caused problems, but went a yard wide of the far post.
With just 19 minutes left to play Spain got their reward as Fabregas' shot from the edge of the area was only parried by Boumnijel and Raul reacted quickly to prod home the rebound.
Five minutes later Spain were in front as Fabregas released a superb pass for Torres and he rounded Boumnijel and expertly placed his shot into the unguarded net.
That seemed to kill off the challenge of the Carthage Eagles and Torres almost added third a minute from time.
Fabregas once again sent Torres clear, he tried to dribble round Boumnijel, but the keeper reacted superbly to push the ball away for a corner.
However, Torres was not to be denied after he was pulled down as he went for a Raul cross.
He got up to ram the spot-kick home under the despairing dive of Boumnijel and become the leading scorer in the competition with three goals in two games.
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