Spain salvages pride with 3-0 win over Australia

Spain's David Villa scores a goal with a back flick kick during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match against Australia at the Baixada arena in Curitiba, June 23, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

CURITIBA, Brazil - Defending champion Spain salvaged some World Cup pride on Monday with a convincing 3-0 victory over Australia in their last match at the tournament.

After losing their previous matches in Group B to the Netherlands and Chile, both teams took to Arena da Baixada in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba knowing they could not advance to the second round.

David Villa, on his 97th and final appearance put Spain ahead in the 36th minute with his record 59th goal, guiding Juanfran Torres' pass into the net with the inside of his right foot. Juanfran had been found by a typically incisive pass by Andres Iniesta.

"We stepped up against Australia and won this match, and I'm happy to have participated in the first goal," said the 32-year-old Villa, who has called time on his international career. "It's sad because we would have liked to have spent more time here, but that's how it is."

Iniesta was at the heart of the second goal too, providing the pass for Fernando Torres to steer the ball past Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan in the 69th minute.

Juan Mata, who replaced an emotional Villa early in the second half, added the third in the 82nd from close range, stroking the ball under Ryan after he was found in space by fellow substitute Cesc Fabregas. David Silva, who also came on late, went close in the 89th but his shot from outside the area went just wide.

Though nothing, in terms of World Cup progress, rested on the game, Spain showed some of the clever passing football that has seen it dominate the game over the past six years - winning Euro 2008, its first World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and then Euro 2012.