Spain's hopes of qualifying for EURO 2008 took a massive leap as they beat Latvia 2-0 in Riga on Saturday. Goals from David Villa and Xavi Hernández earned them a third successive Group F qualifying win.

The away side were the team in command right from the outset, although they couldn’t break down the Latvian defence until the final minute of the first-half.

Miguel Ángel Angulo's cross from deep on the right-wing found David Villa, who was competing with Arturs Zakreševskis for the ball, but the Spaniard managed to bundle the ball past Latvian keeper Aleksandrs Kolinko, who was making his international debut, to make it 1-0 to La Furia Roja.

Latvia came out for the second-half with far more intent and were unlucky not to equalise or even take the lead after Getafe CF striker Maris Verpakovskis spurned two glorious chances to score.

They were made to pay for their missed chances when, on the hour-mark, Spain doubled their lead.

Substitute Roberto Soldado – also making his international debut - placed the ball in perfectly for Xavi, who’s shot deflected off Andrés Iniesta, looped over the stranded Kolinko and into the net to make it 2-0 to Luis Aragonés's side.

Spain had further opportunities to increase the tally, but Latvia held on to keep the defeat respectable.

Spain now lie in third-place in Group F, behind leaders Northern Ireland and equal on 12 points with second placed Sweden, but having played a game more.

Spain are due to face Liechtenstein on Wednesday, with Latvia hosting Denmark.

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