A hat-trick from David Villa inspired Spain to an impressive 4-1 victory over Russia in their opening Euro 2008 Group D game at the Tivoli Neu Stadium in Innsbruck. Two neat finishes from Villa gave Spain a 2-0 half-time lead, after Russian midfielder Konstantin Zyrianov had seen a shot rebound off the woodwork midway through the first half. Villa sealed his hat-trick 15 minutes from time, before Roman Pavlyuchenko netted a consolation goal for Russia five minutes before the end, thereby making this the first match in the competition in which both sides scored. Spain capped the win in injury time when second-half substitute Cesc Fabregas dived in to head home after Xavi’s volley had been parried by Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

Travolgente prestazione dell’attaccante del Valencia Davide Villa, autore di una tripletta nel 4-1 sulla Russia. Palo di Zyrianov nel primo tempo, nel finale i gol di Pavlychenko, per la nazionale di Hiddink, e Fabregas. L’Europeo della Spagna parte benissimo: 4-1 alla Russia nella prima gara del Gruppo D con tre reti di Villa e sigillo finale di Fabregas (di Pavlychenko l’unico gol della squadra di Hiddink).