Soccer: After comeback victory, Spain are finally cooking on Fabregas

STUTTGART - Whisper it quietly, but this could just be the wake-up call Spain needed. A nation used to World Cup disappointment in large doses will now start to believe after a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Tunisia sent Luis Aragones' side into the last 16.

While they barely broke sweat in dismantling Ukraine 4-0 in their Group H opener, Spain needed age-old attributes of hard graft and patience to wear down the North Africans before purring into top gear with three goals in the last 19 minutes.

Frustrated for long periods, it took a halftime substitution by Aragones to wave off the threat of a shock defeat. On came all-time leading striker Raul, not quite the forgotten man but with his star waning after an injury-hit season, and Arsenal teenager Cesc Fabregas.

The midfielder provided the tools to break down a defensive brick wall expertly marshalled by Radhi Jaidi. Fabregas played a key role in Raul's goal to haul the Spaniards level and then slid a perfect pass to Fernando Torres for the second.

Raul also showed he had lost none of his predatory skills, netting his 44th international goal and giving Aragones a selection poser for the rest of the tournament.

The golden boy of Spanish football has had to start from the bench in both games, with David Villa and Torres, top scorer at this tournament with three goals, the preferred pair up front.

Spain, who have not got past the last eight since 1950, will now have one eye on a second-round meeting with France, South Korea or Switzerland should they top their group - a good bet with Saudi Arabia as their final opponents.

With seven goals, and the promise of more against the hapless Saudis, Aragones must turn his attention to the defence.

The Tunisians, buoyed by Joahar Mnari's eighth-minute goal, gave the Spanish rearguard too many troublesome moments for Aragones' liking, with left back Mariano Pernia enduring a torrid first half against lively right wing back Hatem Trabelsi.

Trabelsi's pace forced Carles Puyol into a rash challenge and a booking.

For 71 minutes Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre must have been dreaming of victory and his side could yet rue their below-par performance in a 2-2 opening draw with Saudi Arabia. They can still qualify if they beat Ukraine on Friday.

Switzerland beat Togo 2-0 to end the West African side's hopes of progressing to the last 16. Ukraine beat Saudi Arabia 4-0.

With 10 goals in three matches, yesterday was the most goal-filled day of the tournament so far. It also marked the halfway stage - 32 matches down, another 32 to go.

Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain have all qualified for the knockout stage with a group game to spare.

Ukraine put themselves in pole position to claim the second qualifying slot. Although the Saudis were disappointing, Ukraine still looked like a team transformed from their 4-0 drubbing by Spain.

"It's a little bit like Cinderella, the pumpkin turned into a beautiful coach and the other animals turned into wonderful horses," coach Oleg Blokhin said. "We knew it was a decisive match and we turned things around and did a great job."

Togo's defeat was another blow for the West African side whose stay in Germany has been clouded by their pay dispute.

The row prompted their German coach Otto Pfister to walk out, only to return several days later, and was followed by threats of a boycott of the Switzerland match.

The Group G game went ahead after world soccer's governing body, Fifa, intervened.

The victory vaulted Switzerland into first place in the group on goal difference and they need only avoid defeat against South Korea on Saturday to be sure of a place in the second round.

France, in third place after two disappointing draws, remain in contention in the group but must improve fast.

The French play former colony Togo in their last game on Saturday with the Togolese having no chance of going any further.

"We can't be happy but the team is here to learn and I think they put on a good show," Togo coach Pfister said.

- REUTERS