Int’l Friendly: Classy Spain Too Much For Uruguay

Andres Iniesta dribbles past Nicolas Lodeiro of Uruguay
AFP PHOTO/MARWAN NAAMANI

02/02/2013 Doha, Qatar

The reigning World Cup and European champions Spain easily defeated Copa América winners Uruguay 3-1 in a friendly at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.

The match was originally scheduled to be played in Portugal until Qatar offered the future venue for World Cup 2022 and a €4 million payout, which the teams were clearly happy to split.

After some even opening exchanges, Cesc Fábregas’ hopeful strike from distance forced an embarrassing mistake from Fernando Muslera, turning a comfortable save into the opener for La Roja in the 16th minute.

Cristian Rodríguez equalized for La Celeste in the 32nd, shielding Carles Puyol to finish after a wonderful spin at the top of the box.

This essentially turned out to be the crowning point for Uruguay, who could only watch as Spain dominated the rest of the match with Barcelona’s Pedro scoring the 2 goals that secured the victory.

Goals: Fábregas 16, Rodríguez 32, Pedro 51, 74

Spain: Víctor Valdés, Carles Puyol (Gerard Piqué 45), Sergio Ramos, César Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba (Nacho Monreal 78), Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta (Isco 60), Santiago Cazorla (Mario Suárez 71), Juan Mata (David Villa 45), Francesc Fábregas, Pedro (Álvaro Negredo 75)

Uruguay: Fernando Muslera, Diego Lugano, Diego Godín, Maxi Pereira, Martín Cáceres, Álvaro González (Matías Aguirregaray 80), Nicolás Lodeiro (Walter Gargano, 77), Cristian Rodríguez (Gonzalo Castro 69), Diego Pérez (Arévalo Ríos 65), Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani (Diego Forlán 71)