David Villa scored two goals in four minutes to rally Spain to a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in European Championship qualifying Friday, giving the holders a six-point lead atop Group I.
Jaroslav Plasil had given the visitors hopes of an upset when he converted the Czech Republic's only shot on goal into the 29th-minute opener with a well-placed left-footer from outside the area. But David Villa equalized for the World Cup champion with a strike from the edge of the area in the 69th, and scored what proved to be the winner from the penalty spot in the 73rd after Andres Iniesta was fouled by Jan Rezek in the box.
''The game was not going like we wanted, sometimes it was (goalkeeper Petr) Cech, others times we lacked precision,'' said Villa, who increased his record goal total for Spain to 47. ''They scored a goal almost from their country, but later we had the fortune to make good our chances.''
Spain has now won 10 straight competitive games.
''We have ended the first half of the group phase in an ideal position,'' Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said.
Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez made his 100th appearance for La Roja at Los Carmenes stadium. Only Raul Gonzalez with 102 has more caps for Spain among outfield players.
''I am very happy, I hope to continue participating here,'' said Xavi. ''There is a great feeling among the team and we have to enjoy it.''
Del Bosque stuck with the core of players that have led Spain to the heights of international football. His only major change was moving Sergio Ramos over from right back into the center of the defense to replace the injured Carles Puyol.
Spain came out on the attack, with Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso and Joan Capdevila having chances to score before the Czechs got their first extended possession almost five minutes in.
After surviving Spain's initial surge, the Czechs settled down in defense. They ceded three-fourths of the pitch to Spain and succeeded in frustrating Iniesta, Villa and Navas with a wall of defenders in front of the area.
Villa struck a hard right-footed volley from a cross by Alvaro Arbeloa in the 26th, put Cech was well positioned to save.
Plasil then surprised everyone with a shot from well outside the area that beat goalkeeper Iker Casillas and gave his side hopes of an upset.
Villa came close to equalizing two minutes before the half, but Czech cleared his header off the line.
Spain sent on Fernando Torres and midfielder Santi Cazorla in the second half, which had the desired effect as Spain began to pepper Cech's goal with shots.
''We dominated the entire game and in the second half we gave it the extra effort to create chances and brought on fresh legs with Fernando and Santi,'' Xavi said.
Cazorla, Ramos, Villa and Iniesta all had chances before the Barcelona striker leveled the score, beating Cech with a left-footed shot after cutting in from the right.
Iniesta- Spain's most creative player in attack- soon earned the spot kick for Villa to score his second with a powerful shot into the top left corner. Cech managed to get a touch on Villa's strike, but it was too powerful to keep out.
---
Lineups:
Spain: Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Joan Capdevila (Santi Cazorla), Xabi Alonso (Fernando Torres, 46), Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Jesus Navas (Carlos Marchena, 86), Andres Iniesta, David Villa.
Czech Republic: Petr Cech, Zdenek Pospech, Roman Hubnik, Tomas Sivok, Michal Kadlec, Tomas Hubschmann, Tomas Rosicky, Jaroslav Plasil, Jan Rezek (Tomas Necid, 84), Daniel Pudil (Adam Hlousek, 78), Milan Baros.
