Spain rolls easily past Ukraine; Saudia Arabia, Tunisia tie 2-2

Host Germany scored a 1-0 victory over Poland.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEIPZIG, Germany -- Spain looked ready to cast off its reputation as a chronic underachiever Wednesday, routing struggling newcomer Ukraine 4-0 for its biggest opening World Cup win. It was a sizzling start to yet another title bid after 11 futile, often disheartening attempts.
David Villa scored twice and Fernando Torres capped the romp with a sensational goal off a series of passes.
As famous for its international flops as the finesse and flair of its game, Spain appears on the right track this time. It is on a 23-match unbeaten streak, all under coach Luis Aragones, a nice change for the nation whose checkered international soccer history has been one of perpetual disappointment.
While the Spaniards are making their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, they have failed to reach the semifinals since posting their best result, a fourth-place finish, in 1950.
Spain dominated from the start to the final whistle, accumulating 19 shots to Ukraine's five.
Xabi Alonso opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a header past Oleksandr Shovkovskyi off a corner kick by Xavi.
Villa made it 2-0 just four minutes later, deflecting the ball off the Ukrainian wall on a free kick after a late challenge by Andriy Rusol on Torres that drew a yellow card for Rusol.
Villa scored again just two minutes into the second half on a penalty kick after being brought down by Vladyslav Vashchyuk, who was ejected for pulling his opponent's shirt and tripping him.
Down to 10 men, Ukraine had no chance of a comeback, and Torres connected with a powerful right-footer in the 81st minute.
Saudi Arabia 2, Tunisia 2
MUNICH, Germany -- Rahdi Jaidi's powerful header in injury time gave Tunisia the tie in the only all-Arab match of the tournament. Just a few minutes earlier, in the 84th, Sami al-Jaber gave the Saudis a lead.
Al-Jaber has played in four World Cups and now has scored in three after finishing off a 2-on-1 break. It was his first touch of the game.
Tunisia pressed for the tie and got it on Jaidi's header from 6 yards off a feed from the end line by Ziad Jaziri, who scored earlier.
Four years after an 8-0 humiliation against Germany in their opening game, goals from Yasser al-Qahtani and the veteran al-Jaber put the Saudis in position for a victory -- and a bonus of $27,000 per player.
Then Tunisia struck for the tie. Jaidi, a hulking defender, pushed up and was unmarked in front of the middle of the goal to head in Jaziri's pinpoint pass.
Germany 1, Poland 0
DORTMUND, Germany -- Substitute Oliver Neuville scored on a sliding kick off a brilliant cross from another sub, David Odonkor, in injury time. The hosts, with a man advantage for the final 15 minutes, controlled the action, only to be frustrated by Artur Borac, who made a handful of spectacular saves.
Poland's Radoslaw Sobolewski was sent off in the 75th minute with his second yellow card after tripping Germany striker Miroslav Klose. The Germans pressed, but Boruc was impenetrable.
So was the crossbar, which was hit by Miroslav Klose with a header and Michael Ballack with a kick in the 90th minute.
Moments later, though, Odonkor broke free on the right wing and his perfect pass was kicked home by Neuville.
Germany now has six points and is on the verge of advancing in Group A. Poland, which lost 2-0 to Ecuador in its opener, must beat Costa Rica in its final game of the first round to have any chance of moving on. If Ecuador beats or ties Costa Rica today, the Poles are eliminated.
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