Spain 3-1 Lithuania

 

Spain moved to the top of Euro 2012 qualifying group I after beating Lithuania thanks to three second-half headed goals.

Fernando Llorente, making the most of a rare start in place of the injured Fernando Torres, netted a brace while David Silva added a third late on after Lithuania had earlier struck a surprise equaliser through Darvydas Sernas.
The victory means Spain have now won both of their opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers after previously beating Liechtenstein 4-0 and now boast a two-point lead over Lithuania and Scotland, who they play on Tuesday in Glasgow.

Aside from Torres, Spain were also missing the likes of Xavi, Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabregas, while another of their World Cup-winning squad, midfielder Xabi Alonso, was ruled out in the lead-up to the match through illness.
Without some of their normal first-choice side the Iberian nation, despite dominating, were unable to break down Lithuania in the opening 45 minutes in coach Vicente del Bosque's home town of Salamanca.
Silva twice tested visiting goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas early on before Sergio Ramos saw a looping header from a corner come back off the far post.
Lithuania briefly threatened in the 41st minute when Tomas Danilevicius tested Iker Casillas before Spain went close again just before the break when Llorente saw his header stopped on the line by the diving Karcemarskas.
David Villa then somehow contrived to smash the loose ball against the far post with the whole goal to aim for, but his blushes were partially saved by an offside flag.
Spain need not have worried about their inability to gain a first-half lead though, as just 60 seconds after the restart they got their noses in front through Llorente.
The powerful Athletic Bilbao forward climbed above his marker at the near post to head home Ramos' cross, with Karcemarskas left in no-man's land after coming out in an attempt to claim the ball.
Spain's advantage lasted only seven minutes, though, before Lithuania claimed a shock equaliser.
Sernas was played onside by Carles Puyol and progressed to the edge of the area before drilling a low shot past Casillas for Lithuania's maiden goal in five meetings against the Spanish.
That was not enough to earn Raimondas Zutautas' side anything from the game however, as two minutes later they were trailing again - this time for good.
Llorente was again the scorer, making the most of great work from Santi Cazorla down the right to power home a header at the far post.
Spain pushed for a third goal after that, with Silva, Gerard Pique and Cazorla all being denied by Karcemarskas before Silva wrapped up the scoring 11 minutes from time with another header.
Ramos' cross picked out Silva's run and Manchester City's summer signing sent a glancing header into the far top corner of the net from near the penalty spot.

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