PONTEVEDRA, Spain — David Villa scored on his return to the Spain national team as the World Cup champion prepared for qualifying with a 5-0 beating of Saudi Arabia in a friendly Friday. Villa, making his first appearance for Spain since November because of injury, added to his all-time leading goal tally for Spain by hitting his 52nd international from a 64th-minute penalty. Pedro Rodriguez scored a goal in each half, while Santi Cazorla and substitute Xavi Hernandez also found the net. Fernando Torres made his 100th appearance for Spain before being replaced by Villa in the second half. Spain had little trouble against the 105th-ranked Saudis at Pasaron Stadium. It was the team's first match at home since successfully defending its European title in Poland and Ukraine earlier this year. The host dominated despite its opponent showing flashes of the quick-touch style under former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, a style perfected by the world champion. Cazorla got Spain rolling in the 23rd minute as he rocketed a loose ball inside the area into the roof of the net. He then put Pedro through three minutes later to lob goalkeeper Waleed Abdulla. Torres was handed the captain's armband by coach Vicente del Bosque, and the Chelsea striker set up Spain's third goal after earning a foul outside the area. Xavi stepped up to curl the free kick from 20 meters out over the defensive wall and into the net within two minutes of coming on after the break. Del Bosque rotated his squad in the second half, making six changes to ensure Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Sergio Ramos also got playing time. Villa lacked some confidence in his touches but not from the penalty spot as he stepped up to score with ease after Ignacio Monreal was fouled inside the area. Pedro completed the lopsided win in the 73rd with a similar goal, chipping Abdullah after being played through by Silva. — AP
