Sport | Football

Villa hits hat trick as Spain hammer Russia

A hat-trick by David Villa helped Spain to a 4-1 win over Russia in their Euro 2008 opener on Tuesday.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 22:00 June 10, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Spain's Sergio Ramos (right) reaches for the ball as Russia's Igor Semshov looks on during the group D match between Spain and Russia in Innsbruck, Austria on Tuesday.
  • Image Credit: AP
Image 1 of 6
123456

Innsbruck: A hat-trick by David Villa helped Spain to a 4-1 win over Russia in their Euro 2008 opener on Tuesday.

Villa grabbed his first when he steered the ball into an open goal after fellow striker Fernando Torres drew goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev out of his net in the 20th minute.

He added the second before halftime, stroking the ball home after being put through by Andres Iniesta, before making it 3-0 when he tucked in a low shot after jinking past a defender on 75 minutes.

Russia pulled a goal back through Roman Pavlyuchenko before substitute Cesc Fabregas headed Spain's fourth in injury time.

Spain, who beat Russia 1-0 in their opening match at Euro 2004, made a confident start to the Group D tie under stormy skies at the Tivoli Neu stadium.

They quickly settled into their patient short passing game and had a couple of early chances, Torres sending a shot skidding wide in the eighth minute and Villa scooping an effort over the bar.

Russia also threatened with Yuri Zhirkov and Pavlyuchenko proving a handful for Spain's back four.

But Spain broke the deadlock when Torres raced on to a 30-metre pass from Joan Capdevila.

The striker made the most of a lucky bounce as he tried to beat Denis Kolodin before setting up Villa.

Russia almost equalised two minutes later when Konstantin Zyryanov fired a shot against the post.

Torres had a couple of half chances to extend Spain's lead but it was live-wire Villa who went on to steal the spotlight.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. First strike bamboozles experts

    First strike bamboozles experts

  2. Switzerland and Turkey stay focused

    Switzerland and Turkey stay focused

  3. Romania bank on flawless defence

    Romania bank on flawless defence

  4. Poles sunk by Podolski's double

    Poles sunk by Podolski's double

    Poles sunk by Podolski's double for Germany

  5. Netherlands in shock 3-0 win over Italy

    Netherlands in shock 3-0 win over Italy

    Netherlands all over World Cup champs Italy in shock 3-0 win at Euro 2008

  6. Nervous France start with goalless draw

    Nervous France start with goalless draw

    Nervous France start with goalless draw

  7. Modric scores early penalty to give Croatia 1-0 win over Austria

    Modric scores early penalty to give Croatia 1-0 win over Austria

    Modric scores early penalty to give Croatia 1-0 win over Austria

  8. Ibrahimovic a doubt for Sweden's opener

    Ibrahimovic a doubt for Sweden's opener

More from Football

  1. Fans fight ahead of Egypt-Algeria match

  2. Excitement building ahead of qualifier

  3. UAE youth beat Syria in style

  4. Al Ahli, Al Wahda to meet in Emirates Cup

All articles in Football

More from Sport

Gulf News
Popular in Sport
A round with Pacquiao
Sport

A round with Pacquiao

In the ring with Manny Pacquiao to see what makes this boxer tick

Sport Editor's choice