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Reds help Spain break record

Four Liverpool players started for Spain as they set a new world record for consecutive victories by an international side with a 2-0 win over South Africa in Johannesburg this evening.

European Champions Spain’s victory means they qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals as Group A winners.

Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, Abert Riera, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina started the game. Xabi Alonso was an unused substitute.

David Villa got the Spaniard’s opening goal of the game when he volleyed home shortly after seeing a penalty saved by South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

Fernando Llorente scrambled home the second with 18 minutes to go to put the match out of South Africa’s reach.

Riera went close during the first half with a powerful long-range free-kick that tested Khune, whilst Torres was also left frustrated by the on-form keeper.

Riera was subsituted late in the game by Santl Cazorla.

The result also means that Spain have equalled Brazil’s record of 35 consecutive matches unbeaten.

Spain will now play the runners-up of Group B, which is made up of Brazil, Italy, Egypt and the USA, in the semi-final on Wednesday night (7.30pm KO, UK).