Spain beat Latvia 2-0 in Oviedo last night and move above Northern Ireland, who were beaten 2-1 in Iceland. The Spaniards failed to impress their critics, however, missing a hatful of chances and doing themselves few favours by refusing to speak to the press after the game was over.

The first goal came in the 12th minute when Xavi popped up in the area to convert Joaquín's sliderule pass across the front of goal. Villa and Torres should have extended Spain's half-time lead, but both shot high and wide with just the keeper to beat.

Villa was replaced at the start of the second half by Andres Iniesta and the home side began to settle. After their strikers had peppered the terraces with a series of wayward goal efforts, Fernando Torres broke a twelve-month international duck to poke home from close range after keeper Vanins had only been able to parry Angulo's initial shot.

With just three games left, Spain's eventual qualification is still by no means certain given that they must still travel to fourth-placed Denmark before playing host to group leaders, Sweden, and fourth-placed Northern Ireland.

Saturday, 8th September
Iceland 1 Spain 1
Latvia 1 Northern Ireland 0
Sweden 0 Denmark 0

Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Denmark 4 Liechtenstein 0
Iceland 2-2 Northern Ireland
Spain 2 Latvia 0

Group F, points and goal difference
1 Sweden 19 (+13)+
2 Spain  19 (+9)*
3 Northern Ireland 16 (+3)*
4 Denmark 14 (+8)+
5 Iceland 8 (-9)*
6 Latvia 6 (-4)+
7 Liechtenstein 4 (-20)*
* played 9
+ played 8
 
Saturday, 13 October 2007
Denmark v Spain
Iceland v Latvia
Liechtenstein v Sweden

Wednesday, 17 October 2007
Denmark v Latvia
Liechtenstein v Iceland
Sweden v Northern Ireland

Saturday, 17 November 2007
Latvia v Liechtenstein
Northern Ireland v Denmark
Spain v Sweden

Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Denmark v Iceland
Spain v Northern Ireland
Sweden v Latvia