Under Villa’s thumb

Ironically, the hero of the Spanish victory was David Villa, the man whose position in the starting line-up was the cause of some debate in the build-up to the event. Mike Perez reports.

David Villa struck a hat-trick as classy Spain got their Euro 2008 challenge off to a flying start against Russia at a rain-swept Stadion Tivoli Neu in Innsbruck.

Villa scored twice in the first half before netting his third 15 minutes from time, earning himself the match ball, the Man of the Match award. Roman Pavluchenko pulled a late goal back for Russia, but there was still time for Spain to net a fourth th rough Cesc Fabregas to wrap up a deserved win that will add weight to the belief that this could well be the Iberian nation’s year.

Villa, whose position in the starting line-up was the cause of some debate in the build-up to the event, gave the Russian defence an early suggestion it could be a long evening when he had the first chance of the game. A pinpoint cross-field pass from Sergio Ramos found Villa unmarked on the edge of the area, but after showing good chest control, the 26-year-old, under pressure from Aleksandr Aniukov, sliced his left-footed shot wide with only goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev to beat.

Russia created their first decent opening soon after when Aniukov got in behind Spain full-back Joan Capdevila on the left, but his cross into the centre was drilled wide by Igor Semshov.

Spain then took the lead with a goal from nothing. Fernando Torres picked up possession after a Russia move had broken down and the Liverpool man, having raced goalward, got a lucky break of the ball against marker Denis Kolodin before unselfishly passing inside to Villa, who shot into an empty net after Akinfeev had come out to meet Torres.

Russia came within inches of an immediate riposte in the 22nd minute when Konstatin Zyryanov hit the woodwork. A low cross from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov eluded a host of players as it skidded across the area before Zyryanov sent in a shot that rebounded back off the right-hand post with Iker Casillas well beaten.

Pavluchenko also struck the Spain crossbar with a dipping volley later in the half, but it would not have counted as referee Konrad Plautz had spotted a foul by the Spartak Moscow man.

Aside from those two efforts, it was still Spain who were dominating the match and Akinfeev was kept busy and he was called into action to palm away shots from Torres and Villa.

The Russian goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Villa making it 2-0 in the 45th minute though, when Andres Iniesta’s slide-rule pass put the Spain number seven in on goal and he coolly finished under the diving Akinfeev.

The Russians started the second half in confident fashion and Casillas was called into action to save Sergei Semak’s header, although the effort was straight at the custodian.

With Russia pushing forward as they needed to, Spain were beginning to find plenty of space on the counter-attack and following one breakaway, which resulted in a corner, Marcos Senna and then David Silva both drew saves out of Akinfeev.

It was no surprise to see Spain net a third goal with 15 minutes remaining, and even less surprising to see it was scored by Villa. A slick Spain move in midfield resulted in the ball being fed out to Fabregas on the right and he immediately picked out Villa in the middle.

There was still work for Villa to do, but he saw off the challenge of Roman Shirokov before clinically slotting low past Akinfeev and then racing off to the Spain bench where he celebrated with the substituted Torres.

Russia had battled valiantly throughout the match, and they were rewarded for their endeavours when Pavluchenko thumped home a diving header four minutes from time. However, it was Spain who had the final word when a breakaway led by Villa resulted in Fabregas diving to head home after Akinfeev had parried Xavi’s shot, making it 4-1.

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