Spain faced Ukraine in the Group C qualifiers for Euro 2016 and extended their unbeaten run at the Ramon Sanchez Pizuan with their 20th victory at the Seville stadium.
Before the encounter, both teams were on nine points after four matches, with the La Roja sitting just ahead of Ukraine in the second position courtesy goal difference.
Spain took control early into the game with their first chance arriving before five minutes when Silva attempted to play the ball to Morata, who was through on goal, but Ukrainian centre half Shevchuk came up with a last-minute clearance.
Spain probed and prodded the Ukraine defence with chance after chance in the first quarter of the match but could not take a lead. Ukraine, having withered the initial storm, grew into the game and created a few chances of their own.
Alvaro Morata, the in-form Juventus man, put Spain ahead on the 28th minute after picking up an excellent pass from Koke and chipping it over the rushing Pavlov.
Soon after, Zozulya was forced off with an injury. Morata had his second goal disallowed as Juanfran was flagged offside while making the assist. Spain also hit the crossbar through Ramos’ header from a David Silva free kick but both teams went into the break at 1-0.
The second half was a bit of a different story as Ukraine continuously threatened through set pieces and counter attacks. Casillas was called into action, making three good saves. Rotan played particularly well for the visitors as he gave the Spanish backline problems to think over.
Spain brought on Pedro, Cazorla and Bernat to replace Morata, Iniesta and Alba at different phases in the second half. Stepanenko came on for Ukraine to replace Garmash.
Spain had a composed outing against the enthusiastic Ukraine side and came off as deserving winners. Their failure to kill off the game and Ukraine’s creation of chances will, however, worry Vincent Del Bosque ahead of their friendly against Netherlands on 31st of March.
With this victory, Spain go to top of the table with 12 points and a better goal difference than Slovakia. Ukraine remain third in the group.