Spain kick off campaign with a win - report

Spain 3 Slovenia 1

A late penalty from Spain skipper Fernando Heirro secured victory for his side over Slovenia in their Group B clash.

Spain had been in command with goals from Raul and Juan Valeron before Seb Cimirotic pulled one back.

Slovenia were denied a penalty themselves when Hierro tangled with Milenko Acimovic, seconds before the Real Madrid defender settled the match from the spot himself.

Spain have a dreadful record in opening games.

They had been frustrated early on and Slovenia almost took the lead in the third minute when Zlatko Zahovic's corner was met by Doni Novak's flicked header.

Novak's effort was instinctively palmed away by Spain keeper Iker Casillas, only for Aleksander Knavs to power the rebound over the bar.

But Spain slowly got into their game with Juan Valeron driving from midfield, with a free-kick which was blasted just over the top by Javi De Pedro from 20 yards after 17 minutes.

Spain were getting frustrated as the half wore on, but all that frustration evaporated just one minute before half-time.

Luis Enrique burst past three men and saw the ball bounce free, it was Raul who sidestepped his way clear in the box to fire home.

In the second half Valeron started to dictate play and with one brave fight for possession, twist cleverly away from two players, before laying a fine ball in for Tristan to chase, only just failing to get a toe in first.

Then Garcia Juanfran got away on the left and crossed beyond the far post for Raul to volley into the side netting.

Slovenia brought on Lecce’s Seb Cimirotic 10 minutes after the break for the injured Osterc.

But Spain were going for it now and Tristan cut in from the left to fire a fierce shot that Simeunovic beat away.

Apart from his early spark, dangerman Zahovic had been mastered by Fernando Hierro, and the Benfica star was replaced on 63 minutes by Milenko Acimovic.

Cimirotic was booked for diving on 65 minutes, going down as he surged into the box and a posse of defenders.

Two minutes later Fernando Morientes came on for Tristan up front for Spain.

Cimirotic saw a powerful drive deflect just over off Ruben Baraja, but Slovenia were having their work cut out keeping Spain out, with Morientes and De Pedro both seeing shots blocked.

But Slovenia were having their work cut out keeping Spain out and when Valeron fired in for his first

international goal with 15 minutes left, it was all over.

De Pedro again was the creator from the left, this time with an angled ball that the Deportivo playmaker confidently fired back across the ’keeper and into the far corner.

With eight minutes left Slovenia gave themselves hope when Cimirotic played a neat one-two and rolled the ball home.

Slovenia claimed they were denied a late penalty when Hierro tangled with Milenko Acimovic in the box, but the Moroccan referee Mohamed Guezzaz waved away appeals.

Three minutes from time the Slovenians were even more annoyed when Sasa Gajser caught Morientes as he turned into the box, and Hierro drove home the penalty.