Spain claimed a narrow victory over England in the first international of the new year, with Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta scoring the spectacular winner that separated the two teams.
In truth there was little more than the half volley between Spain and England in a game that promised much but in which the pace of play was too slow for Steve McClaren's side to consistently threaten their opponents.
Missing on the night for England were Wayne Rooney, Aaron Lennon, Owen Hargreaves Michael Owen, Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge and Joe Cole, with John Terry not entering the fray from the substitutes' bench.
With temperatures dropping, the nature of the game favoured fine passing and positioning as opposed to pace and power, and the Spaniards showed their ability to control the pace for extended periods as they frustrated the home side.
It was the first win for Spain in this country since 1981, although during that period there have been only two other meetings in England. For the Spanish coach it was his second victory in two meetings with the Three Lions.
England started strongly with pace and power and they carved open the Spanish defence at will. Inside the opening 60 seconds Kieron Dyer surged past the full back but was unable to reach Peter Crouch with his cross.
Michael Carrick then tested Iker Casillas with a stinging half volley that the Real Madrid keeper could not hold on to. Playing in the number 7 shirt, Carrick fired his effort from a long throw from his club colleague Gary Neville.
David Villa fired the first warning shot for the visitors and although his effort hit the net, it was the wrong side of Ben Foster's goal for the Valencia striker. The Watford stopper got his hands on the ball for the first time in an England shirt when he confidently claimed a looping cross from Sergio Ramos.
Fernando Morientes was unfortunate not to give Spain the lead 18 minutes into the match, showing tremendous awareness and composure in the box he dodged past Ferdinand and Gary Neville to open up the opportunity. Whether it was a bad luck or a rushed finish the ball sailed into the Stretford End and the stalemate continued.
Crouch found space at the back post to connect with a Phil Neville cross, although the inswinging delivery deceived the defenders it lacked the sufficient pace for the Liverpool striker to trouble Casillas.
The half time substitution almost paid dividends for Aragones straight from the restart as Fernando Torres found space to fire a cross over Foster that almost picked out Villa at the far post.
On a cold evening in Manchester Shaun Wright-Phillips sought to warm the hearts and hands of the supporters in the second period with a number of thrusting runs that almost presented goalscoring chances for both Lampard and Crouch.
While Spain had looked controlled and measured in their approach in the first half, the Three Lions looked to force them out of that comfort zone and Steve McClaren introduced Gareth Barry into the fold at half time. Replacing the skipper for the evening, Steven Gerrard, Barry brought a natural outlet on the left side of the pitch to create more options in attack.
Kieron Dyer showed his electric pace when he beat Pablo Ibanez to a Lampard through ball and was perhaps unfortunate not to force a penalty as he collided with the defender.
Ben Foster made a splendid save from a powerful effort from David Villa, diving to his right the 23-year-old got two strong hands to the ball and diverted the goalbound effort wide for a corner.
There was little that Foster could do with the incredible effort from Andres Iniesta that gave the visitors the lead. A spectacular shot that arrowed into the top corner, it was a fine goal that sent the Spanish fans into raptures.
England did their best to respond but it was clear from the moment they took the lead that Spain were content with a solitary goal win and they held on to that comfortably in the end.
England: Ben Foster, Gary Neville (Micah Richards 65), Jonathan Woodgate (Jamie Carragher 65), Rio Ferdinand, Phil Neville (Stewart Downing 74), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Jermain Defoe 70), Steven Gerrard © (Gareth Barry 45), Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Kieron Dyer, Peter Crouch Subs: Paul Robinson, John Terry, Michael Dawson, Joey Barton,
Spain: Casillas, Ramos (Navarro 45), Puyol (Antonio Lopez 45), Albelda, Villa (Fabregas 74), Hernandez, Morientes (Torres 45), Angulo (Iniesta 57), Capdevila, Silva (Arizmendi 68), Ibanez
Subs: Reina, Alonso, Angel Lopez
Attendance: 58,207
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