Fabregas leads Spain to 2-1 win in Armenia

Yerevan: A neat finish from Cesc Fabregas and a Juan Mata penalty gave Spain a 2-1 win over Armenia in their World Cup Group Five qualifier on Saturday.

The European champions had already secured their place in South Africa next year as group winners and coach Vicente del Bosque rested a number of key players including first-choice goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas.Xavi led the side in rainy Yerevan and the Barcelona midfielder`s chipped pass in the 33rd minute allowed Fabregas to lose his marker and lift the ball over Armenia keeper Roman Berezovski into the net. Armenia were level on 58 minutes when Carles Puyol appeared to head into his own net, although the goal was credited to defender Robert Arzumanyan, but Spain restored their lead six minutes later from the spot.Berezovski felled Juan Mata and the Valencia forward converted the penalty low to the keeper`s left. Spain`s final match of the group is against Bosnia in Zenica on Wednesday. Bureau Report