Spanish close in on finals

Raul Tamudo made an excellent return to international action for Spain as he led the frontline in a 3-1 away victory over Denmark to help ease pressure on Luis Aragones.

Spain took the lead on 14 minutes when Andrés Iniesta crossed to the far post where Tamudo directed a looping header back across stranded Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen and into the net.

It was Tamudo's fifth international goal in ten games, and five minutes before half-time he teed up Ramos to double the advantage. Tamudo's slick first-time pass put Ramos through on the right and the Real Madrid CF defender coolly dinked a shot over the on-rushing Sørensen. Cesc Fabregas almost made it 3-0 moments before the break when his toe-poke from the edge of the box was tipped into the air by Sørensen before hitting the top of the crossbar.

thumping close-range header, before the Arsenal FC forward hit the post with an 18-metre strike. Casillas produced another wonderful stop with five minutes remaining to deny Thomas Kahlenberg's header, before the Madrid keeper was finally beaten in the 87th minute when Tomasson slotted in Kenneth Perez's cut-back. Any prospect of a late Danish fightback evaporated two minutes later when Riera marked his first cap with a stunning goal, the Espanyol winger smashing an unstoppable 20-metre shot into the roof of the net.