Two second half goals by the all time leading scorer in Spanish national team history, David Villa, lifted La Roja over El Salvador at FedEx field Saturday afternoon in Landover, Maryland. Villa, who was recently signed by New York City FC as their first player in team history, came on as a substitute in the second half, and tallied a double to send Spain off to the World Cup in Brazil on a high note.
El Salvador kept the game scoreless for the first 60 minutes, despite being outshot 11-1 at halftime. 29 year old keeper Henry Hernández came up huge for El Salvador, making seven saves in the first half alone. However, Hernández's aggressive play coming off his line cost the El Salvadorian side on Villa's first goal in the 60th minute.
The second half substitution combo of Villa and "El Chino" David Silva, sparked the Spanish attack to finally beat Hernández and the stifling back-line of El Salvador.
Villa was able to add another goal in the 87th minute, sealing the deal for La Roja.
For Vicente Del Boque's Spanish team, Diego Costa earned the start, showing that he is up to form for the 2014 FIFA World Cup set to begin next week in Brazil. Costa drew a penalty early in the first half, only for the attempt to be missed over the goal by Cesc Fàbregas.
Although the final scoreline read only 2-0 in favor of Spain, the match was far more lopsided, with Spain dominating 80% of the possession, and outshooting El Salvador by a count of 23 to 2.
The match was Spain's final tuneup before their meeting with The Netherlands in Salvador, Brazil, on June 13th; a rematch of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Spain is searching to become the first team to win back to back World Cup's since Brazil accomplished it back in 1958 and 1962.
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