SOWETO, South Africa — World champion Spain suffered only a second loss in 17 matches this year after losing 1-0 to South Africa in a friendly international Tuesday. Midfielder Bernard Parker scored the early second-half winner, chipping goalkeeper Victor Valdes from close range and a desperate lunge from a defender could not keep the ball out. Spain rarely threatened to equalize until Alvaro Arbeloa came close deep in stoppage time at the Soccer City stadium where it defeated the Netherlands 1-0 to win the 2010 World Cup. The shock defeat came five months after the only other reverse for La Roja (The Red Fury) this year — a 3-0 hiding from host Brazil in the Confederations Cup final. Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, who signed a two-year contract extension until 2016 last week, offered no excuses after only his eighth defeat in 83 matches. The United States slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Austria, finishing its record-setting year with a fourth loss in 23 matches. Austria striker Marc Janko blasted the ball past goalkeeper Tim Howard in the 33rd minute, rounding off an attacking move started by David Alaba. Referee Istvan Vad denied the US what may have been a goal in the 17th minute. A corner by Michael Bradley found Geoff Cameron, whose header was deflected by Marko Arnautovic's. Austria goalkeeper Robert Almer punched the ball away from what appeared to be behind the goalline. In other friendlies among 2014 finalists, Per Mertesacker's header sealed Germany's 1-0 win as England lost for the second time in five days at Wembley. While Germany deployed a second-string squad — and took control after taking the lead — England started with a strong lineup that couldn't get a shot on target or prevent boos ringing out around the venue at the final whistle for the second time in four days here. England, which was beaten 2-0 by Chile Friday, has now lost consecutive matches at Wembley for the first time since defeats to Wales and Scotland in 1977. A Robinho header 12 minutes from time was enough to give Brazil a 2-1 win over Chile in a hard-fought friendly in Canada Tuesday. The Netherlands drew 0-0 with Colombia and much-hyped Belgium went down 3-2 at home to Japan. In a landmark friendly, Gibraltar drew 0-0 with Slovakia in Portugal Tuesday in their first match since being admitted to UEFA, Europe's governing soccer body. — Agencies
