Villa breaks Raul record as Spain beat Czechs



villa 7



GRANADA, Spain, March 25 (Reuters) - David Villa became Spain's record goal-scorer when he struck twice as the world champions fought back from 1-0 down to beat Czech Republic 2-1 in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday.

Jaroslav Plasil silenced the home fans with a powerful long-range drive in the 29th minute that went in off a post to give the visitors a shock lead.
Villa equalised in the 69th minute with a low shot that was too good for
 keeper Petr Cech before netting from the penalty spot four minutes later after Andres Iniesta was felled in the area.
The Barcelona striker now has 46 international goals for the European champions -- two ahead of former Real Madrid marksman Raul.
The victory gave Spain a perfect 12 points from four games in Group I.
The home team immediately put the Czech goal under pressure on a warm Andalucian evening and Iniesta tested Cech with a snap shot in the second minute before Joan Capdevila flashed a header narrowly wide.
Villa stung Cech's hands with a powerful volley from Alvaro Arbeloa's cross in the 26th minute but the visitors grabbed a surprise lead three minutes later with their first shot on goal.
Plasil collected the ball in an innocuous-looking position in central midfield before letting fly from 30 metres.
Spain next play group rivals Lithuania in Kaunas on Tuesday.