Spain beats Austria 5-1

David Villa scored two first-half goals to help Spain beat Austria 5-1 in an international friendly Wednesday.

Cesc Fabregas and substitutes Daniel Guiza and Pablo Hernandez also scored for the European champions after Jakob Jantscher had given Austria a surprise lead after just seven minutes.

Almost 17 months after lifting the Euro 2008 title in the Ernst Happel Stadium, Spain claimed its 21st victory in 22 matches under coach Vincent del Bosque.

Spain dominated the first half, keeping the ball in midfield before quickly seeking Villa or David Silva up front.

However, Austria opened the scoring against the run of play with its first attack when Roman Wallner dribbled past two Spain defenders and saw Jantscher waiting just inside the area. His shot was slightly deflected by Sergio Ramos to leave goalkeeper Iker Casillas no chance.

Spain leveled just three minutes later when Silva picked up the ball in midfield and passed to the unmarked Fabregas, who beat goalkeeper Christian Gratzei with a low shot.

Villa put Spain ahead after 20 minutes, converting a cross by Andes Indiesta.

Austria committed some rough fouls in the opening half hour and saw midfielder Yasin Pehlivan sent off with a red card in the 27th minute after a foul from behind on Sergio Busquets.

Villa scored his 35th goal in 54 matches for Spain just before halftime when he picked up a pass by Silva and sidefooted the ball home to make it 3-1.

“There are no friendly games these days as everyone wants to beat us,” Villa said. “We are very happy to continue our good run. It was nice playing in Vienna again, we have beautiful memories here.”

Spain’s play was less fluid in the second half after coach Vincente del Bosque had taken off key players like Xavi Hernandez, Andes Iniesta and Villa.

“Austria started with a lot of energy … but we were in control,” Del Bosque said. “Unfortunately, we were not able to keep the pressure up until the end.”

In the 57th, Guiza and Hernandez made it 5-1 with two goals from short range within a minute after poor defending by the Austrians.

Guiza nearly made it 6-1 when his shot hit the post after 71 minutes.

It was Austria’s heaviest defeat since losing 5-0 to Turkey in a World Cup qualifying playoff in 2001.

“It was a master class, but we gave away four of their five goals,” Austria coach Dietmar Constantini said. “We just made too many mistakes against a world-class opponent.”