Pedro Rodriguez scored a brace as Spain defeated Uruguay 3-1 in Doha's Battle of Champions.
In front of more than 40,000 cheerful spectators at Khalifa International Stadium, the World and European champions took the lead after only 15 minutes, when Cesc Fabregas sent a powerful long range effort that found its way to the net thanks to a disastrous mistake from the Uruguayan keeper Fernando Muslera.
But, the 2011 Copa America champions replied in style with a brilliant finish from Christian Rodriguez in the 32nd minute after a perfect through ball from Martin Caceres.
Six minutes into the second half, Substitute Gerard Pique sent a great through ball to Pedro, who made no mistake with a powerful shot past Muslera.
La Celeste failed to get back into the game despite a number of changes made by coach Oscar Tabarez, their best effort was a powerful shot from Edinson Cavani pushed away be a brilliant save from the Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdez.
In the 75th minute Pedro met a perfect cross from Fabregas with a close range finish, to end the Uruguayans' hopes of a comeback.
Extra
★ The game marked Carles Puyol's 100th appearance in La Roja's shirt. The 34-year-old FC Barcelona centre-back was honored at half-time with a special gesture from the Qatar Football Federation and Qatar 2022 Supreme Organizing Committee.
★ Sergio Ramos also is one game away from his centenary mark after playing his 99th game for Spain today.
★ Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque led Spain for the 68th game, equalling Spanish legend Ladislao Kubala's record.
★ Spain kept their head to head record clean in their ninth game against La Celeste. Uruguay never defeated Spain since their first ever meeting in 1950.
★ Three players made their debut for Spain today, Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta who started the game, Malaga's Isco and Atletico Madrid's MArio Suarez who were sent on as substitutes in the second half.
★ Oscar Tabarez was Uruguay's coach when they faced Spain during the group stage of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy and the game ended in a goalless draw.
★ The majority of the spectators at the fully packed Khalifa Stadium were supporting "La Roja". The Spanish team had built a huge fan base in the Middle East and all around the world over the past few years, specially with the majority of the team coming from FC Barcelona.
The Teams
Spain Victor Valdez - Carles Puyol (Gerard Pique 46'), Jordi Alba (Nacho Monreal 78'), Cesar Azpilicueta, Sergio Ramos - Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Santi Cazorla (Mario Suarez 60') - Andres Iniesta (Isco 59'), Pedro Rodriguez (Alvaro Negredo 75'), Juan Mata (David Villa 46') - Coach: Vicente Del Bosque
Uruguay Fernando Muslera - Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres, Maximiliano Pereira (Egidio Arevalo Rios 65') - Christian Rodriguez (Gonzalo Castro 68'), Diego Perez, Alvaro Gonzalez (Matias Aguirregaray 79'), Nicolas Lodeiro (Walter Gargano 76')- Edinson Cavani (Diego Forlan 69'), Luis Suarez - Coach: Oscar Tabarez
Watch the Goals (Espanol)
Watch the Goals (Arabic)
Spanish Celebrated the victor on Thursday
Uruguayan Media said that the result was expected against the best team in the world who did not hesitate in accepting La Celeste's gifts.
