Xavi, Fernando Llorente and Juan Mata gave Spain a well deserved victory at the Steponas Darius stadium.
Without Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and Sergio Busquests, Spain managed to maintain a perfect scoring after five matches. The hosts could hardly keep up with Vicente del Bosque's fury, but their excellent defensive work could have granted Lithuania an important point thanks to Marius Stankevicius' leveller.
Spain leads the group for the Euro 2012 with fifteen points after five games, six points above Czech Republic.
The game was clearly dominated by the Spaniards, who had nevertheless trouble keeping the ball in Lithuanian ground. David Villa was almost a shadow, isolated on the attack unlike Fernando Llorente, who assisted the midfielders with relative success.
Vicente del Bosque introduced fresh legs for the second half, as David Silva and Juan Mata took over David Villa and Santiago Cazorla's place respectively. The modifications paid off, and Spain celebrated another important victory to defend the European title once again.
Spain was inaccurate throughout the first 20 minutes of the game. David Villa was the most active player in the squad, shooting first at the 7th minute as Xabi Alonso found him close to the area. In the 19th minute, Villa recovered the ball and assisted Xavi Hernandez, who shot an unstoppable ball for Lithuanian goalkeeper Žydrūnas Karčemarskas.
It looked like it was the beginning of a feast for Vicente del Bosque's boys, but it wasn't. The hosts never gave up, Mindaugas Panka warned first at the 23th minute, Darvydas Šernas followed eight minutes later ina dangerous counter-attack and Deividas Česnauskis had a fair chance at the 45th minute, but Iker Casillas controlled the ball without a problem.
Without David Villa for the last 40 minutes of the game, Fernando Llorente had to assume a much more offensive stance to lead the attack, and it was necessary as Stankevicius found the equalizer shooting from over 30 yards. Juan Mata was a constant threat to the Lithuanian defense from the wings, and he played a major role in the last two winning goals.
Mata first sent a dangerous cross on the 70th minute of the game that Tadas Kijanskas sent straight into his own net. Valencia's striker tasted the net by himself 13 minutes later. The World Champion connected a fifth consecutive victory in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, while Lithuania was left at the fourth position with only four points.
Spain leads the group for the Euro 2012 with fifteen points after five games, six points above Czech Republic.
The game was clearly dominated by the Spaniards, who had nevertheless trouble keeping the ball in Lithuanian ground. David Villa was almost a shadow, isolated on the attack unlike Fernando Llorente, who assisted the midfielders with relative success.
Vicente del Bosque introduced fresh legs for the second half, as David Silva and Juan Mata took over David Villa and Santiago Cazorla's place respectively. The modifications paid off, and Spain celebrated another important victory to defend the European title once again.
Spain was inaccurate throughout the first 20 minutes of the game. David Villa was the most active player in the squad, shooting first at the 7th minute as Xabi Alonso found him close to the area. In the 19th minute, Villa recovered the ball and assisted Xavi Hernandez, who shot an unstoppable ball for Lithuanian goalkeeper Žydrūnas Karčemarskas.
It looked like it was the beginning of a feast for Vicente del Bosque's boys, but it wasn't. The hosts never gave up, Mindaugas Panka warned first at the 23th minute, Darvydas Šernas followed eight minutes later ina dangerous counter-attack and Deividas Česnauskis had a fair chance at the 45th minute, but Iker Casillas controlled the ball without a problem.
Without David Villa for the last 40 minutes of the game, Fernando Llorente had to assume a much more offensive stance to lead the attack, and it was necessary as Stankevicius found the equalizer shooting from over 30 yards. Juan Mata was a constant threat to the Lithuanian defense from the wings, and he played a major role in the last two winning goals.
Mata first sent a dangerous cross on the 70th minute of the game that Tadas Kijanskas sent straight into his own net. Valencia's striker tasted the net by himself 13 minutes later. The World Champion connected a fifth consecutive victory in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, while Lithuania was left at the fourth position with only four points.
