Spain extended their unbeaten run with another smooth display of incisive passing football to defeat England in Sevilla with David Villa and Fernando Llorente netting the goals.
Vicente del Bosque's side showed their hosts why they are the number one side in the world with patience and technique undoing Fabio Capello's team and ending the Three Lions' winning run.
The Spanish are now unbeaten in 29 matches and completed a hat-trick of victories against the English as they took two of their chances in a game that saw neither defence opened up often.
Capello may have been without Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, but the gulf between the two teams was evident as it was Spain that were able to apply the pressure in around the area while their guests were not.
Spain's midfield creators, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, thrived as Marcos Senna protected the back four behind them and Xabi Alonso calmed the game down with his intelligence.
On the other side, England's central players were unable to find the passes that would open up their hosts and that was a key difference between the two sides as they tested each other.
Defensive errors could be blamed for the goals, but Villa's skill and Alonso's vision created the first while Llorente proved that Del Bosque was right to choose him after he leant in unmarked to net the second.
It was the visitors that actually had the opening two chances of the game as Gabriel Agbonlahor volleyed wide and Gareth Barry headed wide from a corner and those chances came moments before Emile Heskey appeared to be fouled en route to goal, only to be ruled offside.
Iniesta and Xavi were playing the ball around superbly, but England's defence remained firm and were able to block two chances from Fernando Torres before Senna drove wide and Villa saw a goal ruled out.
In the 36th minute the deadlock was broken as Alonso's pass through the centre was controlled by Villa and he gave Phil Jagielka a harsh introduction to international football by slaloming past the defender before slotting the ball past David James.
Spain could have scored a second just before the break when Senna's long-ranger flew just wide before Alonso fired off target after Villa had seen his shot blocked in the area.
Spain may not have been aware as Beckham replaced Barry at the break, but the AC Milan midfielder drew level on 108 international appearances for England with Bobby Moore, with the pair now the most capped outfield players for the Three Lions.
The former Real Madrid playmaker helped England raise their game with his technique standing out from those around him, but his creativity was not used as Peter Crouch did little and Agbonlahor was anonymous.
At the other Sergio Ramos was in rampaging form down the right, but the Spanish were able to take their foot off the pedal slightly and defend their lead.
Despite that only Shaun Wright-Phillips and Frank Lampard could send efforts straight at Pepe Reina before the game was put beyond England's reach with a second goal for the hosts.
Xavi was this time the provider as he floated a free-kick towards the far post and Llorente sped forward to send a textbook header past Robert Green and into the net.
In the closing moments Carlton Cole could have marked his England debut with a goal after latching on to a Beckham pass and rounding Reina, only for Carlos Marchena to clear off the line.
It was a carnival atmosphere in Sevilla on an evening that went well on the pitch and any fears of racism rearing its ugly head were also unfounded as both sets of fans behaved impeccably off it.
Spain 2 - 0 England
Spain extended their unbeaten run with another smooth display of incisive passing football to defeat England in Sevilla with David Villa and Fernando Llorente netting the goals.
Vicente del Bosque's side showed their hosts why they are the number one side in the world with patience and technique undoing Fabio Capello's team and ending the Three Lions' winning run.
The Spanish are now unbeaten in 29 matches and completed a hat-trick of victories against the English as they took two of their chances in a game that saw neither defence opened up often.
Capello may have been without Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, but the gulf between the two teams was evident as it was Spain that were able to apply the pressure in around the area while their guests were not.
Spain's midfield creators, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, thrived as Marcos Senna protected the back four behind them and Xabi Alonso calmed the game down with his intelligence.
On the other side, England's central players were unable to find the passes that would open up their hosts and that was a key difference between the two sides as they tested each other.
Defensive errors could be blamed for the goals, but Villa's skill and Alonso's vision created the first while Llorente proved that Del Bosque was right to choose him after he leant in unmarked to net the second.
It was the visitors that actually had the opening two chances of the game as Gabriel Agbonlahor volleyed wide and Gareth Barry headed wide from a corner and those chances came moments before Emile Heskey appeared to be fouled en route to goal, only to be ruled offside.
Iniesta and Xavi were playing the ball around superbly, but England's defence remained firm and were able to block two chances from Fernando Torres before Senna drove wide and Villa saw a goal ruled out.
In the 36th minute the deadlock was broken as Alonso's pass through the centre was controlled by Villa and he gave Phil Jagielka a harsh introduction to international football by slaloming past the defender before slotting the ball past David James.
Spain could have scored a second just before the break when Senna's long-ranger flew just wide before Alonso fired off target after Villa had seen his shot blocked in the area.
Spain may not have been aware as Beckham replaced Barry at the break, but the AC Milan midfielder drew level on 108 international appearances for England with Bobby Moore, with the pair now the most capped outfield players for the Three Lions.
The former Real Madrid playmaker helped England raise their game with his technique standing out from those around him, but his creativity was not used as Peter Crouch did little and Agbonlahor was anonymous.
At the other Sergio Ramos was in rampaging form down the right, but the Spanish were able to take their foot off the pedal slightly and defend their lead.
Despite that only Shaun Wright-Phillips and Frank Lampard could send efforts straight at Pepe Reina before the game was put beyond England's reach with a second goal for the hosts.
Xavi was this time the provider as he floated a free-kick towards the far post and Llorente sped forward to send a textbook header past Robert Green and into the net.
In the closing moments Carlton Cole could have marked his England debut with a goal after latching on to a Beckham pass and rounding Reina, only for Carlos Marchena to clear off the line.
It was a carnival atmosphere in Sevilla on an evening that went well on the pitch and any fears of racism rearing its ugly head were also unfounded as both sets of fans behaved impeccably off it.
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