BURNABY, B.C. — European champion Spain showed its true colours Wednesday with a relentless pursuit of speedy Zambia that made up for a draw the previous game in the FIFA under-20 World Cup.
Spain got first-half goals from Mario Suarez and Juan Manuel Mata to beat persistent Zambia 2-1 and atone for a draw against Uruguay in the opener.
Spain and Uruguay now have four points each to top Group B standings with one game remaining in the round-robin portion of the draw.
Uruguay beat Jordan 1-0 in the first game of the Wednesday doubleheader at sun-soaked Swangard Stadium on a goal by Edinson Cavani in the 40th minute.
Spain's Diego Capel, centre, and Lopez Adrian (18) celebrates team mates Juan Manuel Mata's goal against Zambia. (Richard Lam/CP)
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In the second game, after temperatures cooled, Suarez scored on a penalty in the 30th minute after a dubious call by referee German Arredondo from Mexico.
A Spanish attacker had missed the ball completely with a wild kick in the penalty area, then fell when he stepped on a defender who had not interfered with the offensive player. The referee ruled a penalty
Mata followed with a brilliant half-volley from a cross by Diego Capel 10 minutes later to blunt any hope Zambia had of recovering.
Zambia made the score closer than expected when William Njobvu squirted through the middle of the Spanish defence to score in the 74th minute and make for a few nervous moments for Spain late in the game.
The round concludes Saturday when Uruguay plays Zambia at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, while Spain faces Jordan in Burnaby.
