FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.06.2009 22:18

Four Barça players in Spain triumph (0-2)

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Spain eased through to the semi finals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa as they beat the host nation thanks to goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente.

Vicente del Bosque’s side recorded their 15th consecutive win in all competitions to create history with a team that contained no less than four players from FC Barcelona as Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué, Xavi and Sergi Busquets all appeared.

Easing through

After beating Iraq and New Zealand in their opening two group matches, the Spanish side were looking to maintain a 100 per cent record and started strongly as Albert Riera and Villa both went close early on.

Busquets looked comfortable at the highest level and guard his back four and keep South Africa away from the goal throughout the first half.

Two goals

In the opening minutes of the second period David Villa saw his penalty saved, but moments later he made amends by netted the opening goal of the game after chesting the ball down and steering it into the far corner of the net. A second was on the cards and it came in the 71st minute when Llorente met a low cross and fired home from close range.

Hosts through

Iraq played out a goalless draw with New Zealand in the other match in the group and that result meant that South Africa qualified for the semi finals too.

Touré scores

Touré Yaya netted the opening goal for the Ivory Coast as they beat Brukina Faso. The Barça midfielder helped his side take a step towards qualifying for the World Cup Finals next summer as Didier Drogba and Tell added two more goals.

Six youth teamers

Along with the four current Barça players in the Spain team, Pepe Reina and Cesc Fàbregas also rose through the ranks at FC Barcelona.