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Torres scores three as Spain rolls

Sun 14th, June 2009

Rustenburg, South Africa (Sports Network) - Fernando Torres scored three times in the first 17 minutes to help guide Spain to an easy 5-0 win over New Zealand in Group A play at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Torres scored the first three goals for his side while a 24th-minute strike from Cesc Fabregas made it 4-0 before halftime. David Villa scored a goal shortly after the restart to stretch the lead to five goals, and Spain's unbeaten streak was well on its way to reaching 33 games.

The opening goal arrived inside of six minutes as Fabregas slipped a pass to Torres at the top of the box, and after the New Zealand defense failed to close him down, he curled a shot around goalkeeper Glen Moss and inside the right post.

It took nine minutes for Torres to grab a second goal as Albert Riera slid a pass into the box for Villa on the left, and he pulled the ball back to the front of goal for Torres to redirect first-time past the keeper.

Joan Capdevila then played provider two minutes later as Torres completed his hat-trick by heading home Capdevila's cross at the top of the six-yard box.

Capdevila was involved again in the build up in the 24th minute as he took a pass from Riera and got into the box on the left. He drew Moss off his line and then squared the ball to Fabregas to knock into the empty net.

The match was already out of reach at this point, but New Zealand did manage to test goalkeeper Iker Casillas right before halftime with a free kick from Dave Mullingan that forced Casillas to tip the ball around the post.

The second half started just as poorly as the first for New Zealand, with a terrible mistake by Andrew Boyens handing Spain a fifth goal.

Torres dribbled past two defenders and sent a low cross into the area that looked like it would be cleared by Boyens. However, the defender missed the ball and it allowed Villa a simple finish to add even more misery to New Zealand.

The other match in Group A on Sunday saw host nation South Africa finish 0-0 with Iraq.

Scoring chances were few and far between in this match but the best two belonged to the host country, with MacBeth Sibaya sending a 20-yard shot towards the far post that forced a good diving save from Iraq goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid right before halftime.

The second should have given South Africa the win as Kagisho Dikgacoi sent a header towards goal that had already beaten the keeper, but somehow struck teammate Bernard Parker and stayed out.

The second round of matches in Group A will take place on Wednesday with Spain meeting Iraq and South Africa battling New Zealand.

Group B play opens on Monday with Brazil taking on Egypt while defending World Cup champions Italy open up with the United States.