FOOTBALL NEWS FROM Euro 2012
Easy win for Spain
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World and European champions Spain were comfortable winners in their friendly in Venezuela.

Barcelona duo David Villa and Pedro put Spain 2-0 up inside 20 minutes and Xabi Alonso netted the third by half-time.

The game was not as one-sided as the scoreline suggested, but Spain always had enough in reserve to see off their South American opponents.

Giancarlo Maldonado tried to catch Spain cold in the first minute but Victor Valdes saved.

Spain were ahead within five minutes when Cesar Gonzalez fouled Fernando Llorente and Villa's fierce low free-kick from 30 yards ricocheted off the post and keeper Renny Vega before finding the net.

Cesar Gonzalez fired over for the hosts and Maldonado drew a sharp save from Valdes before Spain again broke away to find the net. Villa this time was the provider as from his pass, Pedro's shot deflected in off the studs of defender Franklin Lucena.

Venezuela were by no means ready to roll over, though, and Grenddy Perozo lashed a long-range effort over.

Villa again threatened at the other end and saw a 20-yard effort tipped over by Vega before then hammering a free-kick into the wall.

Yohandry Orozco shot over from distance for Venezuela, who found themselves 3-0 down a minute before half-time via a trademark long-range effort from Alonso. Llorente was again fouled, this time by Luis Seijas, and the Real Madrid midfielder's curled free-kick slipped into the bottom corner with Vega again getting a touch.

A rash of substitutions seemed to disrupt the game's rhythm and it was 20 minutes into the second period before either team had a clear sight of goal, Venezuela's Juan Arango sidefooting wide from close range.

That sparked the game back into life and Santi Cazorla's long-range effort forced a sharp save from Vega at the other end.

Spanish substitute Fernando Torres shot over from 20 yards but Venezuela returned fire and Arango's powerful free-kick was held by Valdes.

The pattern repeated itself shortly afterwards, Chelsea striker Torres shooting wide before Arango forced Valdes to tip his shot around the post.

Though well beaten, Venezuela had contributed admirably to the game and Arango's corner was headed wide by Gabriel Cichero, who then tested Valdes' replacement Iker Casillas from 20 yards in stoppage time.