Reigning World and European Champions began their Confed Cup campaign with a win over Uruguay
Del Bosque began the game with seven Barça players in the team
Pedro scored the first goal, whilst Soldado got the second after some excellent work from Cesc Pedro and Iniesta. Suarez scored a late consolation for the Uruguayans.
An outstanding first half display from the World Champions saw off Uruguay, with a deflected strike form Pedro followed by a superb team goal rounded off by Soldado putting Del Bosques side 2-0 up within the first half hour, With seven Barça players in the starting line up – Piqué, Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Cesc, Iniesta and Pedro – Spain offered a masterclass in Recife, with Suarez’s late goal no more than a consolation strike.
Exhibition stuff
With their pacey passing and total control of possession, Spain were playing exhibition football and were a constant danger from the off with the outstanding Cesc coming close after just 9 minutes, hitting a drive low against the post. A few minutes later, Pedro fired home after a corner had been poorly cleared, with his shot going in off the Uruguayan defender Lugano.
The all-Barça Spanish midfield of Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc were combining brilliantly and they were at the heart of the second goal: Iniesta won a ball just outside his own box and brilliantly beat a couple of players before setting up Pedro on the right. Pedro made ground and set up Cesc on the edge of the box, for the Catalan to subtly put Soldado through to round off a wonderful goal. At two up, Spain were in masterful mood and Uruguay were hardly able to string two passes together.
Late consolation goal for Uruguay
The pace dropped a little after the break and Uruguay managed to make a few chances themselves and right at the death – with Cesc, Xavi and Pedro all taken off, Luis Suárez hit a lovely free kick past Casillas to make it 2-1.
That was never going to be enough though, and Del Bosque’s team duly took their first three points of the Confederations Cup.