Football: Spain, Brazil impress in World Cup warm-ups
Posted: 15 November 2009 0714 hrs

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PARIS : Xabi Alonso emerged as the two-goal hero as Spain downed Argentina while England came up short against five-time world champions Brazil in World Cup warm-ups on Saturday.

On a packed programme of international friendlies Italy and the Netherlands drew a blank in Pescara while there was mixed fortune for two other World Cup qualifiers.

Serbia, who topped their qualifying group to consign 2006 beaten finalists France to the play-offs, scraped a 1-0 win in Northern Ireland but Switzerland were defeated by the same scoreline by Norway.

World Cup hosts South Africa were held to a goalless draw by Japan.

In Doha an injury-hit England received a World Cup reality check after coming up short against Brazil, the 1-0 scoreline in Doha flattering Fabio Capello's side.

Capello had to make do without first team regulars John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, and his wounded Three Lions were tamed by Nilmar's second half header.

Dunga's Brazil could have won by more but Luis Fabiano missed a penalty after Wes Brown's mistake forced keeper Ben Foster to foul the striker.

Capello though was putting a brave face on this only his fourth defeat since taking over the England reins.

The Italian reflected: "I found some positives. I checked some players in this important game against the best team in the world.

"I learned the value of some players when playing against this team. But I don't like to speak about individual players.

"They (Brazil) are a really good team but my first eleven will be better."

First time captain Wayne Rooney remarked: "I'm disappointed with the result. We are better than we showed here.

"We are looking to improve. Thankfully it is only a friendly and we will move on."

In Madrid Xabi struck in either half to fire Euro 2008 champions Spain to a 2-1 win over Argentina.

Real Madrid's star put one of the favourites for next year's World Cup into a 16th minute lead, the midfielder stabbing home a rebound after Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero could only parry away a shot from David Silva.

Argentina levelled through a Lionel Messi penalty on the hour mark but Xabi's 86th minute spot kick ensured Spain the bragging rights over Diego Maradona's side.

In Cardiff Wales handed out a 3-0 drubbing to hapless Scotland which left manager George Burley's job hanging in the balance.

Burley knows SFA chief executive Gordon Smith will come under pressure to sack him and, asked if he would still be in charge for the March friendly against Czech Republic, he said: "Well, that's up to other people, isn't it?

"I'm just thinking about this game, it wasn't good enough, we've got to do better and we were beaten too easily.

"As far as positives for this game, I couldn't pick one out."

- AFP /ls