Reuters - Wed, 18 Nov 23:05:00 2009
Spain marked their return to the Vienna stadium where they won Euro 2008 by thrashing 10-man Austria 5-1 while Germany were held to a 2-2 draw by Ivory Coast in friendlies.
David Villa netted twice for the European champions at the Ernst Happel stadium, scene of Spain's 1-0 final victory over Germany last year, to take his international goal tally to 35 in 54 appearances.
An injury-time goal from Lukas Podolski saved Germany in Gelsenkirchen and Giorgio Chiellini headed home as an experimental Italy side beat Sweden 1-0 in Cesena.
Austria, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, took a surprise lead through Jakob Jantscher on eight minutes but Cesc Fabregas levelled for Spain two minutes later.
Yasin Pehlivan was dismissed for a late challenge on Sergio Busquets in the 26th minute and Villa struck twice before the break.
Spain substitutes Dani Guiza and Pablo Hernandez then completed the rout early in the second half.
"I am happy to come here again and remember the great feelings we had two summers back," Villa said. "I think we wrapped up the game with a convincing victory and some good play."
Germany took an 11th-minute lead when Guy Demel brought down Stefan Kiessling and Podolski netted from the penalty spot.
Ivory Coast levelled when substitute goalkeeper Manuel Neuer attempted to clear a back pass and the ball bounced off Emmanuel Eboue and dribbled into the net.
Seydou Doumbia put the visitors in front with a blistering 85th-minute drive before Podolski struck again three minutes into stoppage time.
Coach Joachim Loew said it was not easy for Germany to play after last week's suicide of national goalkeeper Robert Enke.
"But the team were focused and you saw they got into the match and wanted to win," he said.
Juventus centre back Chiellini charged in to score the winner for world champions Italy in the 28th minute in Cesena after Giampaolo Pazzini nodded on a corner from the right.
Netherlands were held 0-0 by Paraguay, their third successive game without a goal.
Without the creativity of the injured Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, the Dutch hardly created any danger despite dominating the match against the South Americans.
Netherlands, who have not conceded in their last five matches, were well organised in defence and had goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to thank in the second half when he made a fine save from Oscar Cardozo's deflected free kick.
Both countries have qualified for next year's World Cup in South Africa.
Dimitar Berbatov became Bulgaria's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals after netting twice in a 4-1 win against Malta.
The 28-year-old Bulgarian captain and Manchester United striker scored from close range in the 75th minute to equal former midfielder Hristo Bonev's tally of 47 goals.
Berbatov added his second seven minutes later to break the record in his 74th international.
Valeri Bojinov and Blagoy Georgiev were also on target for Bulgaria while Michael Mifsud scored Malta's consolation seconds after the interval with an easy finish.
Serbia ended South Korea's 27-match unbeaten run when Nikola Zigic earned a 1-0 victory in a lively match at Craven Cottage.
Striker Zigic flicked in a looping cross from Nenad Milijas with the outside of his right boot after seven minutes as Serbia followed up their 1-0 friendly win in Northern Ireland on Saturday with another impressive performance.
Denmark came from behind in Aarhus to beat United States 3-1 with second-half goals from Johan Absalonsen, Soren Rieks and Martin Bernburg.
African Nations Cup hosts Angola made it nine successive matches without defeat when they drew 0-0 with Ghana.
Ghana played an experimental side, leaving out regulars Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari.
The Nations Cup starts on January 10.
Honduras' celebration of their World Cup qualification ended in disappointment with an own goal and a 2-1 defeat to Peru in a friendly.
Peru took the lead when Damian Ismodes whipped in a cross from Peru's left flank and Honduras defender Emilio Izaguirre sent a stooping header into his own goal despite little sign of pressure.
Honduras hit back two minutes after the break with a classy finish from striker David Suazo, who raced onto a defence-splitting pass from Ramon Nunez, rounded the keeper and slotted home.
The dangerous Ismodes provided another incisive cross in the 65th minute though, allowing Rainer Torres to leap above Honduras keeper Noel Valladares and head in the winner.
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oleee spain is the best!!
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