Spain beat Australia 3-0 before exiting World Cup

Elmar Dreher, dpa 

Eliminated world champions Spain restored a bit of national pride before saying farewell to the 2014 World Cup with their first victory, a 3-0 win over Australia on Monday.

David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata scored the goals as Spain avoided the worst-ever defence of a World Cup title with the three points in Group B.

No defending champion has ever exited a tournament without securing a single point. France were closest in 2002 with a last-placed finish in picking up just one draw and without scoring a goal.

But Spain were the first defending champions to be eliminated after just two group stage matches.

Spain finished in third place in Group G with the Netherlands and Chile both advancing to the knock-out stage. Australia were last with three losses.

With his team knowing they will board a flight home directly after the match, Spain boss Vicente del Bosque revamped his starting line-up with seven changes compared to the 2-0 loss against Chile.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina started for Iker Casillas while Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Diego Costa were dropped and Torres and Villa both started the game at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.

Torres was a substitute for both of Spain's losses while Villa was making his first appearance at Brazil 2014.

Australia's main weapon Tim Cahill scored goals in both of the Socceroos' first two matches but he missed the Spain encounter due to a yellow card suspension, with Adam Taggart filling in up front.

The game lacked real highlights in the first 20 minutes until Villa's left foot blast wide in the 21st minute as Spain slowly took over control of the game.

The Europeans were close two minutes later but Jordi Alba's attempt left of goal was stopped by Australia keeper Mathew Ryan.

Without Cahill, Australia remained harmless, unable to create any serious chances.

Spain finally scored their second goal of the World Cup - their first being the opener in the 5-1 defeat against Netherlands - in the 36th minute.

Andres Iniesta sent Juanfran down the right side and the Atletico Madrid fullback cut the ball back to Villa, who backheeled past Ryan for the score and his 59th goal for Spain.

Australia nearly answered right back a minute later but Reina rushed out to clear a ball just before the charging Taggart.

Spain did not really push forward early in the second half and Australia were close in the 59th minute but Matthew McKay's long volley blast sailed just over Reina's crossbar.

The Spanish remained unspectacular - almost listless - but they flashed their former greatness in the 69th minute in doubling the lead - and deciding the game.

Iniesta played a superb through ball to Torres, who struck inside the far right post make it 2-0.

Spain tacked on a third goal in the 82nd minute as Mata, who came on for Villa, scored through the legs of Ryan after a pass from Iniesta.