Villa restores Spain’s hopes

JOHANNESBURG – David Villa scored two goals to put Spain’s World Cup back on track with a 2-0 victory over Honduras yesterday.Villa beat three defenders in the 17th minute and put a rising shot past Honduras’ goalkeeper Noel Valladares, who got a touch on the ball but couldn’t keep it out.Villa scored his 40th international goal in the 51st when his shot from the edge of the area deflected off a defender and went over Valladares.The Spain striker had a chance for a hat trick but he missed a penalty in the 62nd. Spain earned the penalty when Jesus Navas was tripped inside the right side of the area.Spain have three points and can still win Group H with a victory over Chile, which earlier beat Switzerland 1-0 and lead with six points. Switzerland have three points and Honduras zero.“If we beat Chile we’re practically group winners, so we’re happy,” Villa said. “The good thing is that this result means we depend on ourselves.”Spain came into the match under pressure following a shock 1-0 defeat by Switzerland in their opening game, but Villa single-handedly eased that pressure with a superb individual opener.Villa’s fifth World Cup goal put him even with four Spain players as the country’s leading scorer in the competition and moved him within four goals of Raul Gonzalez’s record of 44 for the national team.“It’s a shame,” Villa said. “I could have passed (the other four players) with a penalty but I’m still happy with this result.”The win improved Spain’s chances of avoiding a potential match with Brazil in the round of 16, but Spain coach Vicente del Bosque still wasn’t satisfied.“We didn’t play a good game. We had a lot of chances, we should have won by more goals,” said Del Bosque, who has won 26 of 28 games. “I’m not especially happy.”For Honduras to make the round of 16, they must beat Switzerland in their last match and hope Chile defeat Spain.Spain attacked from the start and created a handful of early chances, including a long-range shot from Villa that beat the outstretched Valladares but hit the crossbar in the seventh minute.Ramos, whose ninth-minute penalty appeal was waved away, headed Joan Capdevila’s cross over at the far post in the 11th.Spain’s defence provided goalkeeper Iker Casillas with some nervous moments soon after as the captain rushed to catch a high ball, then blocked Amado Guevara’s shot just before Villa’s goal.Jesus Navas’ speed kept Honduras off-kilter, while Fernando Torres – uncharacteristically – missed three clear chances in the first half.The Liverpool striker, making his first start since right knee surgery in April, headed over the bar before sending a shot high in the 33rd. He then wasted Villa’s fine pass from inside the area at the close of the half.Cesc Fabregas came on for Xavi in the 66th and rounded Valladares with his first touch only for Chavez to clear it off the goal line. Fabregas was a constant threat as Spain peppered its opponent’s goal to the end, with Ramos coming close in the 67th. (AP)Line-ups:Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos (Alvaro Arbeloa, 77), Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Joan Capdevila, Jesus Navas, Sergio Busquets, Xavi (Cesc Fabregas, 66), Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres (Juan Manuel Mata, 70), David Villa.Honduras: Noel Valladares, Sergio Mendoza, Osman Chavez, Maynor Figueroa, Emillio Izaguirre, Wilson Palacios, Amado Guevara, Danilio Turcios (Ramon Nunez, 63), Walter Martinez, Roger Espinoza (Georgie Welcome, 46), David Suazo (Jerry Palacios, 84).