Spain vs. Uruguay: Final score 3-1, Pedro's second half brace leads Spain to victory

Spain pulled away for a 3-1 victory over Uruguay with two second half goals from Pedro Rodriguez. Cesc Fábregas scored in the first half thanks to a howler from Fernando Muslera and Cristian Rodriguez equalized late in the half.

Spain opened the match with a gluttony of possession, as you might expect, but after nearly three minutes of moving the ball around, it was Uruguay who got the first great chance of the match. Luis Saurez was on the end of a great through ball and looked to be in on Victor Valdés all alone. Barcelona defender Carles Puyol recovered nicely though, dispossession Suarez from behind and allowing Valdés to clear the danger.

Uruguay seemed to be settling in to the match and looking dangerous on the counter. Then in the 16th minute, their goalkeeper let them down. Cesc Fábregas took a speculative shot from 30+ yards out that didn't have much movement and went right towards Fernando Muslera. The ball went right through Muslera's hands, at best off his fingers, and right into the back of the net to put Spain up 1-0. Whatever happened it was an awful howler from the Uruguayan keeper.

Uruguay equalized in the 31st minute when Martín Cáceres sent a ball in to the box that was beautifully dummied by Luis Suarez before ending up right on the foot of Cristian Rodriguez. Rodriguez went right between the Spain defenders and sent his shot past Valdés making it 1-1.

It only took six minutes for Spain to take the lead back in the second half. Halftime substitute Gerard Piqué hit Pedro with a great pass from 25-yards out on the right side of the box. Alvaro González got turned inside-out by Pedro who easily raced past the midfielder before beating Muslera inside the far post, putting Spain up 2-1.

Pedro wasn't done for Spain.

In the 74th minute David Villa sent a short pass to Fábregas who made an overlapping run on the left side. Fábregas showed off his usual good vision crossing the ball low across the box that skipped past a diving Muslera, right in front of Pedro who poked the ball into the empty net putting Spain up 3-1.