Spain 2-0 Honduras as it happened

Wrap up: The match tonight was an incredible non-contest, that became very tedious the longer it went on. Spain were exceptional in most areas of the pitch, though their finishing left a lot to be desired. At the hour mark Spain could have been six or seven goals to the good.

After Villa’s missed penalty, though, they took their foot off the pedal, and coasted home without trying particularly very hard. For much of the game, Spain’s football was a pleasure to watch. For the rest it was a training match. Honduras were unimportant. It was as if they weren’t there.

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The lads in RTE were disappointed with Spain. “Selfish, wasteful, no urgency,” reckons Giles. “Unprofessional,” said Ronnie Whelan. They expected them to run up a big score and reckon that Chile might cause them some problems.

Full time

Poor cross by Navas, and Spain waste yet another good opportunity.

Villa almost had his hat-trick yet again. Mendoza blocked him with a last ditch tackle. The corner was sent in by Fabergas, but it was very poor. As good as a performance as it has been by Spain, I have a horrible feeling that they won’t go through to the next round. Chile looked really good today, and very capable of holding Spain to a draw, if they continue to miss chances.

Jerry Palacios, Wilson’s brother, comes on for Suazo. Their other brother Johnny is also on the bench. I wonder if three brothers have every been on the same international team at one time. Let me know if anyone has the answer.

Fact number 4 about Honduras, their football team isn’t as good as Spain’s. Georgie Welcome just headed over, from what I reckon is only their second attempt of the half. Villa almost had his hat-trick yet again, but Figueroa managed to get a foot to his attempt.

Arbeloa comes on as a substitute for Ramos. It’ll be interesting to see how the boring negative Swiss approach their match against the Hondurans. It’ll be a game where they have to attack and that might be difficult for them (though they should win). Chile v Spain should be a cracker with the way those teams have approached their matches so far.

One of Mata’s first actions since coming on is to blast the ball over the bar. The fact that Spain have scored only two must be a major concern for them. They won’t get as many chances against a good team. Spain have been sensational, however, in almost every other area of the pitch.

Nunez for Honduras blazes the ball over the bar from a free-kick. Torres is substituted by Spain, on comes Mata.

Fact about Honduras number 3. The country is home to 700 different types of birds.

66′

Fabergas comes on for the excellent Xavi.

Izaguirre takes down Navas in the box. As clear cut as you could get. He was already booked but didn’t get a second yellow. Villa lines it up. . . and puts it wide. Sent the keeper the wrong way. Horrible horrible miss.

Penalty Spain!

“That ref looks a lot like Kim Jung Il. I think it’s him. He’s over there spying on the North Korean players,” says Jim from West Cork. I think the ref is Japanese, Jim, but you never know.

Pique got an accidental boot to the face, and there was blood everywhere. Hamilton reckons he might have lost a couple of teeth.

Villa takes a strike from outside the box, it deflects off Chaves and loops over the Honduras keeper. Villa’s 40th international goal in only 60 matches. Now let the floodgates open.

Goal Spain!

Honduras have started well since the break and have had more of the ball. Although maybe I spoke too soon because. . .

Second half starts. Maynor Figueroa takes a shot from the halfway line (He did it against Stoke). It went harmlessly over. Georgie Welcome comes on for Espinoza. Hamilton will be delighted.

“The orchid is Honduras’ national flower. Do they look like they’re going to wilt? Tap me on the back for that one” says Johnners from Templeogue. Very funny Johnners. Yeah, I reckon the floodgates are going to open up in the second half, and Spain’ll get two or three more at least.

Half time

The Vuvuzelas have gone from being more rhythmic than usual to simply being plain annoying again. I tried to like them again. I really did. Villa, like a magician again, skipped down the wing, and passed it to Torres, but a defender intercepted it.

Spain have won their last 37 fixtures in which they’ve taken the lead. Just trying to give Honduras some hope. The last team Spain lost to after scoring first was Northern Ireland, who won 3-2 at Windsor Park.

Xavi has been outstanding, and seems instrumental in almost everything good Spain are doing. He just played a great ball to Torres, who was flagged offside. It was a bad decision, but Torres missed it anyway. There could easily have been six or seven goals so far. Torres could’ve had four. Emilio Izaguirre just got booked for Honduras.

Torres just missed two easy chances in quick succession. Hamilton reckons that it’s the hair. I reckon he’s not match fit. Who knows which one of us is right?

Villa crossed low into the box but it was clear by the ubiquitous Palacios, who is playing like a one man team.

Fact number 2 about Honduras. They have nearly 700km of railways.

Performance of the tournament for my money so far. Spain are playing some outstanding stuff. Palacios has fouled a couple of times now and is probably lucky to avoid getting a yellow card.

Xavi whipped in a free-kick, Ramos pushed over Figueroa, and a foul was given. They showed a replay of the goal. You could watch that all day. Email what you think of that goal.

Incredible goal from David Villa. He picked it up from outside the box, skipped past two defenders, and hits it with his right foot into the top corner. “30m bargain” says Tom from Grange, Co. Tipperary. You said it Tom.

Goal Spain!

Somehow the Hondurans have held on so far, and are now growing into this came. Martinez played a ball over the top towards Suazo that was intercepted by Casillas.

Fact number 1 about Honduras. Their national flower is the orchid.

Ramos went close. Great ball in ball in by Xavi. Ramos headed over, Valledares would’ve had no chance. The goalkeeper is currently down injured. Maybe he is just taking a rest. Spain are relentless so far.