Soldado, Mata push aside Ireland

Second-half goals from Roberto Soldado and Juan Mata gave Spain victory over the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night.

Played in New York at the Yankee Stadium, Vicente del Bosque went with eight Barcelona players in his starting line-up, alongside Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos and David Silva.

Whilst La Roja dominated proceedings and created the more opportunities from the start, it was the Irish that had the clearest chance to score in the first half through Conor Sammon, before the second half turned in Spain’s favour.

Soldado, on for less than 10 minutes as a replacement for David Villa, pounced on a loose ball after a run from Arbeloa, to poke it in for 1-0 on 68 minutes.

Another substitute in Mata then sealed the win two minutes from time, but only after Giovani Trapattoni’s men had seen a goal correctly disallowed for offside.

Spain now continue preparations for their 2013 Confederations Cup campaign, which kicks off on Sunday against Uruguay in Group B.

Spain 2-0 Republic of Ireland

Soldado 68, Mata 88

Spain: Valdes (Casillas 59); Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Xavi (Mata 69), Iniesta (Fabregas 59); Pedro (Santi Cazorla 80), Villa (Soldado 59), Silva (Navas 46)

Republic of Ireland: Forde (Randolph 69); McShane, St Ledger, O’Dea, Kelly (Delaney 90); Coleman, McCarthy (Meyler 84), Hendrick (Quinn 46), A.Keogh (McClean 69); Keane (Cox 57), Sammon. Subs not used: R.Keogh, McCarey

Tags Del Bosque Mata Republic of Ireland Soldado Spain
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