Spain crush Belarus ahead of French showdown
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MINSK (AFP) - World and European champions Spain warmed up for their Group I showdown with France next Tuesday as Pedro Rodriguez fired a hat-trick in a convincing 4-0 victory over Belarus on Friday.
The win moved them alongside France on six points after two matches of their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
A cagey start to the encounter was soon broken open as Spain struck twice in eight first-half minutes thanks to Jordi Alba and Pedro who eased early nerves and set the defending champions on their way to a rousing win.
They grabbed the early goal they wanted after just 12 minutes when Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba played a neat one-two with club teammate Xavi before slotting the ball past Belaurus 'keeper Sergey Veremko for his second international goal.
