World Cup warm-up match: Spain 1-0 Tunisia

Andres IniestaImage source, EPA
Image caption,

Andres Iniesta completed the full 90 minutes but lost the ball 23 times, the most of any player on the pitch

Substitute Iago Aspas' late goal gave Spain a narrow win over a resolute Tunisia in their final World Cup warm-up in Krasnodar.

A strong Spanish line-up had struggled to break down their opponents until Celta Vigo forward Aspas struck with six minutes left.

Tunisia, England's first opponents in Russia, went close to scoring before the break when Naim Sliti missed from close range.

Spain are now unbeaten in 20 matches.

The 2010 World Cup winners did not manage a shot on target until substitute Diego Costa's effort went straight at Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi in the 65th minutes.

The Tunisians sat deep to frustrate Julen Lopetegui's side for much of the match, but looked threatening with some rapid counter-attacks and should have gone ahead when Sliti volleyed over from inside the six-yard box.

It took two of Lopetegui's replacements to make the breakthrough.

Former Chelsea striker Costa, having been forced away from goal after going past the keeper, passed to former Liverpool striker Aspas, who shot under Mathlouthi.

Spain begin their World Cup campaign against Portugal at 19:00 BST on Friday in Sochi, while Tunisia face England in Volgograd at 19:00 BST on Monday, 18 June.

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