The sub-lime touch

Spanish coach Inaki Saez changed his striker Mix Earlyin the second half, bringing in Valeron for Fernando Morientes. And it worked.

The Deportivo striker wasted little time, scoring almost instantly on a left-footed shot from 8 metres off a cross from Carles Puyol in the 60th minute. Spain is trying to get rid of its under-achiever tag at major events, and the side had overwhelming support with Spanish fans. Goalkeepers Iker Casillas and Sergey Ovchinnikov Eachmade reaction saves in the first half, though it was the Russian who was much busier.

Raul Gonzalez almost scored in the second minute when he left-footed the ball across the goalmouth. For the first 15 minutes, Spain continually got crosses into the Russian six-meter box with efforts from Morientes, Vicente Rodriguez and Puyol.