Brussels - David Villa kept Spain on course for qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on Wednesday, by heading in a late winner in the 2-1 win away to dogged Belgium. The European champions had to dig deep to win in rainy Brussels, because Belgium took an early lead - then battled manfully until the bitter end.
The late win leaves Spain top of qualifying Group 5 with 12 points from four games, four points ahead of Turkey - who were held to a 0-0 draw away to Estonia - and five ahead of luckless Belgium.
"This was an important win," said Spain manager Vicente del Bosque.
"They made things very hard for us," he added, "but we looked for a win right until the end."
Del Bosque has started his Spain reign with five straight wins. Wednesday's was the most difficult, having to come from a goal down on a wet, slippery pitch.
The hosts went ahead after just seven minutes. Vicent Komany forced his way down the left and centred for Sonck, completely unmarked, to score with a calm header.
It was the first goal that Spain had conceded in eight matches, and it obliged the Euro 2008 champions to take control in midfield.
Things went from bad to worse for Spain when, just two minutes later, striker Fernando Torres limped off with a pulled muscle in his left thigh.
Andres Iniesta made it 1-1 in the 36th minute with the classiest goal of his career so far.
Marouane Fellaini gave the ball away to Cesc Fabregas, who picked out the eager Iniesta down the left. The impish Barcelona playmaker skipped past Daniel Van Buyten and keeper Stijn Stijnen - and scored with his right foot from a tight angle.
Villa forced a sharp low save out of Stijnen just before half- time, as Spain continued in the driving seat.
Belgium came out for the second half full of fire and purpose, and Carles Puyol had to scramble a chip from Anthony Vanden Borre off the line in the 53rd minute.
Fellaini thought he had given Belgium the lead 11 minutes later - only to be ruled offside.
But the weary hosts seemed to settle for a draw towards the end, whilst Spain continued to look for a win.
The visitors were given their just reward in the 88th minute, when sub Daniel Guiza centred perfectly for the lively Villa to head home at the far post.
