Spain 1-0 China PR: Timely Silva snatches Spain win

Posted Monday, June 04, 2012 by UEFA.com

"We deserved to win" said midfielder David Silva, whose 84th-minute strike earned La Roja a narrow victory in Seville.

Spain 1-0 China PR: Timely Silva snatches Spain win
Spain players celebrate David Silva's late winner

Spain completed their pre-tournament preparations with a 1-0 victory against China PR, David Silva's late strike proving the match-winner in Seville.

Vicente del Bosque had his 23-man EURO squad available for the first time following the return of the FC Barcelona and Athletic Club contingent and he will have appreciated the intense workout provided by a China side that were eventually undone by an 84th-minute winner from man of the match Silva.

The Manchester City FC schemer proved a constant menace and had his side's first chance with a long-range shot that zipped just wide. China – led by former Spain coach José Antonio Camacho – should have scored soon afterwards, Zhi Zheng evading Iker Casillas' challenge before slicing wide with the goal at his mercy.

Álvaro Negredo's dragged shot was blocked by goalkeeper Cheng Zeng, but it was Casillas that proved the busier of the two custodians, called into action twice in eight minutes. First he parried Junmin Hao's strike before expertly deflecting Zhi Zheng's angled effort.

With the introduction of Fernando Torres, Andrés Iniesta and Jesús Navas at the break, the hosts dominated and both Raúl Albiol's close-range header and then Iniesta's clever chip struck the crossbar. Torres then found Cheng Zeng unbeatable; the visiting goalkeeper denying the Chelsea FC man with a fine double save.

The game was heading for 0-0 when Iniesta stole possession, darted down the left and cut back for Silva, who stroked in his 16th goal for Spain. "We played well, especially in the second half and with the chances we created we deserved to win," Silva commented afterwards. "We know defending our title will be difficult but we'll look to do our best while staying injury free. Let's see what happens."