The world champion made it impossible for Lithuania to maintain Group I's leadership and with perfect scoring leads the qualification for the Eurocup
Spain was the big favorite for this clash, but Lithuania's overly defensive formation was a tough nut to crack. Lithuania's goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas received major assistance from the posts to keep his goal shut for the first 45 minutes, while Iker Casilla was hardly even disturbed.
The four goals came in the second half. Spain converted thrice from the air (Fernando Llorente two times and David Silva in the last 15 minutes) while Darvydas Sernas reduced the difference for Lithuania after a perfect counter attack.
Vicente Del Bosque's furious squad returns to victory and claims the first position of the group with an average higher to three goals per game. Scotland waits for Spain next Thursday, will they bag a third victory on the Highlands?
Spain struggled to break through Lithuania's defensive scheme without much success. The first 45 minutes showed Spain dominating the game in all fronts. One shot in the posts and one goal annulled was the mediocre outcome of the first half. The hosts deserved more, but Lithuania's goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas denied Spain's every attempt towards the goal.
The situation changed in the second half. Just as the ball started rolling, Sergio Ramos run through Lithuania's defense on the right wing and send a long cross that Fernando Llorente headed straight into the net. Lithuania's goalkeeper was found out of position and could do nothing to deflect the ball. It looked like the goal would change the game, but the advantage was nevertheless short-lived.
Spain dominated the game and the goal boosted the confidence of the players even higher. As Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevilla joined the offense they compromised Iker Casillas' goal. Zutauta's boys exploited Spain's defensive mistakes with a beautiful counter attack netted by Darvydas Sernas. Iker Casillas could do nothing to stop the visitors from scoring the equalizer in the 54th minute.
The second half promised much more excitement than the first 45 minutes. Sergio Cazorla's awakening sharpened Spain's offense to its maximum, and one of his high crosses was headed straight into the net once again by Athletic's Llorente. In only 9 minutes Spain claimed the upper hand two times against the Lithuanian squad.
Spain's second goal slowed down the pace of the game, and the number of offenses increased. The Spaniard manager introduced a few modifications to secure the three points: Pablo and Aritz Aduriz to the field, taking over David Villa and Fernando Llorente's positions respectively. Del Bosque's idea was to have more control of the ball and reach Lithuania's goal more clearly, and his strategy paid off in just one minute.
It was Sergio Ramos once again who sent a perfect cross that David Silva managed to head into the net. The two goal advantage froze the game: The Spaniards were relieved with the third goal as the Lithuanians run out of ideas to break through Spain's defense. It was the end of a brilliant evening for the world champion, who could dispel the doubts of the first half with sheer efficiency in the second half.
The four goals came in the second half. Spain converted thrice from the air (Fernando Llorente two times and David Silva in the last 15 minutes) while Darvydas Sernas reduced the difference for Lithuania after a perfect counter attack.
Vicente Del Bosque's furious squad returns to victory and claims the first position of the group with an average higher to three goals per game. Scotland waits for Spain next Thursday, will they bag a third victory on the Highlands?
Spain struggled to break through Lithuania's defensive scheme without much success. The first 45 minutes showed Spain dominating the game in all fronts. One shot in the posts and one goal annulled was the mediocre outcome of the first half. The hosts deserved more, but Lithuania's goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas denied Spain's every attempt towards the goal.
The situation changed in the second half. Just as the ball started rolling, Sergio Ramos run through Lithuania's defense on the right wing and send a long cross that Fernando Llorente headed straight into the net. Lithuania's goalkeeper was found out of position and could do nothing to deflect the ball. It looked like the goal would change the game, but the advantage was nevertheless short-lived.
Spain dominated the game and the goal boosted the confidence of the players even higher. As Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevilla joined the offense they compromised Iker Casillas' goal. Zutauta's boys exploited Spain's defensive mistakes with a beautiful counter attack netted by Darvydas Sernas. Iker Casillas could do nothing to stop the visitors from scoring the equalizer in the 54th minute.
The second half promised much more excitement than the first 45 minutes. Sergio Cazorla's awakening sharpened Spain's offense to its maximum, and one of his high crosses was headed straight into the net once again by Athletic's Llorente. In only 9 minutes Spain claimed the upper hand two times against the Lithuanian squad.
Spain's second goal slowed down the pace of the game, and the number of offenses increased. The Spaniard manager introduced a few modifications to secure the three points: Pablo and Aritz Aduriz to the field, taking over David Villa and Fernando Llorente's positions respectively. Del Bosque's idea was to have more control of the ball and reach Lithuania's goal more clearly, and his strategy paid off in just one minute.
It was Sergio Ramos once again who sent a perfect cross that David Silva managed to head into the net. The two goal advantage froze the game: The Spaniards were relieved with the third goal as the Lithuanians run out of ideas to break through Spain's defense. It was the end of a brilliant evening for the world champion, who could dispel the doubts of the first half with sheer efficiency in the second half.
