First-half goals from Juan Mata and Xabi Alonso secured Spain a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Euro 2012 qualifying.
Reigning world and European champions Spain took the lead in Prague early on through Mata, after Xavi dissected the Czech defence with a delightful through ball.
Alonso added a second midway through the first half after another wonderful assist, this time from David Silva.
Spain looked extremely comfortable as the game approached half-time and Xavi came close to making it three with a wicked free-kick that dipped just over the bar.
The closest Czech Republic came to scoring in the opening 45 minutes was a tame Tomas Rosicky effort that drifted past Iker Casillas s right-hand post.
Czech holding midfielder Tomas Hubschmann received a straight red card after 69 minutes for a horrible challenge on Alonso, which led to the Real Madrid central midfielder being replaced by the impressive Javi Martinez.
As Spain began to exploit the space previously occupied by Hubschmann, they came close to scoring a third on a number of occasions.
Martinez was unfortunate to see his effort trickle past the post after bursting through the heart of the Czech defence and again came close just minutes later, only to see his deflected effort cannon off the crossbar with goalkeeper Petr Cech well-beaten.
Spain had already secured a place in next year s finals in Poland and Ukraine prior to Friday s match, while the Czechs qualification hopes remain in the balance following this defeat.
