Soccer: Spain win to top group

KAISERSLAUTERN - Spain fielded a second string team to beat a toothless Saudi Arabia 1-0 this morning and ensure they went through to the last 16 of the World Cup as winners of Group H.

Centre back Juanito scored the winner nine minutes from halftime when he fired a bullet header past keeper Mabrouk Zaid after Jose Antonio Reyes whipped in a free kick from the left.

"Spain played with their reserves but they were greatly experienced players" - PaquetaThe victory extended Spain's unbeaten run to 25 games and meant they finished the group stage with a maximum nine points for the second World Cup in a row.

They will meet either Switzerland, South Korea or France in the last 16 in Hanover on Wednesday.

It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Saudi Arabia who go home with just a point after surrendering the lead to draw 2-2 in their opening match against Tunisia and then imploding to a 4-0 defeat against Ukraine in their second.

Spain coach Luis Aragones was disappointed with the performance after fielding an entirely new team.

"We didn't play too badly in the first half and maybe could have had another goal," Aragones said. "But we fell apart in the second and were at their mercy.

"They deserved to score a goal and get at least a draw from the match."

Saudi coach Marcos Paqueta preferred to take the positives from the World Cup campaign.

"Spain played with their reserves but they were greatly experienced players. We fought very hard and made them hang on in the second half," the Brazilian said.

"We are going to leave with a nice impression. For us it was a nice experience for our team to test themselves against high level opposition."

The Saudis needed to win to have any chance of making the knockout stages, while Spain were virtually assured of top spot in the group.

The Spain substitutes quickly settled into their usual fluent passing game and warmed to the task as the half wore on.

Live-wire winger Joaquin went close with a dipping shot and midfielder David Albelda had a fierce drive turned past the post by Zaid after a gleaming passing move involving Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas just before the half hour.

Six minutes later Juanito put Spain into the lead with his header and Reyes went close to extending his side's lead with a sharp volley just before the break.

Aragones replaced captain Raul with David Villa at halftime and gave leading scorer Fernando Torres a run out for the final 20 minutes, but with Spain happy to sit on their lead it was Saudi Arabia who made much of the running in the second period.

They missed a great chance to equalise in the 89th minute when Saad Al Harthi wafted a shot over the bar after Mohamed Noor had cut the ball back.

- REUTERS