Spain Beats South Africa, But Both Are Winners at Confederations Cup

It's Spain's world, the rest of us are all just living in it. Saturday in the Confederations Cup, Spain dispatched hosing South Africa 2-0 on goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente.

The win extended Spain's unbeaten run to an astounding 35 games, which ties the all time mark set by Brazil in the early 1990s. Perhaps even more impressive is that Spain has won its last 15 matches during the streak to set a world record there as well. Nobody is even close to Spain's level, although they haven't exactly played the world's toughest team's yet in this tournament.

South Africa, which also advanced to the Confederations Cup semifinals, did make Spain work Saturday. Maybe this was because Spain had already advanced and didn't feel like exerting itself before a possibly semifinal match with Italy next week.

In fact, the Bafana Bafana had a brief moment to celebrate when keeper Itumeleng Khune guessed right and denied Villa's 52nd minute penalty kick, which was awarded after Cesc Fabregas was clipped inside the box. Khune even had the mettle to grab the rebound fired immediately back at him from Carlos Puyol.

Unfortunately the good times didn't last long as less than a minute after being denied from the spot, Villa scored in a more conventional manner, collecting a ball and chesting it down to himself, firing past Khune on the volley. A quality goal for Villa, who is now Spain's second all-time leading scorer behind Raul. (It's hard to believe cash-strapped Valenica will be able to resist selling him before the summer is over.)

Spain wrapped it up 72nd, when Villareal sub Llorente poked a ball from in front of the box inside the right post.

It wasn't all bad news for South Africa, which despite the loss moved on due to Iraq's failure to score in a 0-0 draw with New Zealand. Iraq was twice denied inside stoppage time, first on a great save by Glen Moss and then by defender clearing the ball off the line on the ensuing corner. The All Whites actually had reason to celebrate the draw, as it was the first point the Kiwis have ever earned at a FIFA tournament.

Even if they backed into the semifinals, it's still good news for the host country, which could use any sort of good news going forward toward 2010. The only downside is it means even more of the relentlessly annoying sounds of the vuvuzela buzzing through the stadiums.