Spain 2-1 Peru
A last-gasp volley from defender Joan Capdevila earned Spain victory over Peru in the first of two pre-UEFA EURO 2008™ friendlies.
Stoppage-time winner
The Villarreal CF player smashed in his goal from close range three minutes into stoppage time to decide a match that looked destined to be drawn. Although Spain had taken a deserved first-half lead through David Villa, Hernán Rengifo equalised 16 minutes from time to silence the Huelva crowd. Luis Aragonés's side are next in action against the United States in Santander on Wednesday.
Half-time lead
La Roja's reward for their initial dominance came seven minutes from half-time with Villa's cool finish. The Valencia CF forward, deployed just behind Fernando Torres, found the corner of the net after receiving a precise pass from Xavi Hernández. Xavi had earlier hit the post with a shot from distance, while Andrés Iniesta and David Silva also threatened the Peru goal.
Last chance
However, Spain failed to press home their advantage and were made to pay in the later stages of the second half. Visiting striker Rengifo ballooned a header over goalkeeper Iker Casillas after being teed up inadvertently by Capdevila's misdirected clearance. The 30-year-old left-back was therefore grateful for the chance to make amends deep in added time as he thumped a cross from substitute Cesc Fàbregas past Peru keeper Leao Butrón. Aragonés had made six post-interval changes, including giving international debuts to Rubén de la Red, Santi Cazorla and Sergio García.
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Xabi Alonso (Senna 46), Iniesta (Cazorla 61), Silva (Sergio García 83), Xavi Hernández (Fabregas 46), Villa (De la Red 56), Torres (Güiza 46).
Peru: Butrón, Salas, Rodríguez (Villalta 23), Vílchez, Luis Hernández, Rainer Torres, Cruzado (Mariño 46), Solano (Cevasco 90), Hídalgo (Neyra 72), Chávez (Rengifo 65), Guerrero.
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