Spanish media pleased with Spain's record run of victories (Feature)

By Duncan Shaw Jun 21, 2009, 7:43 GMT

Madrid - The Spanish media on Sunday praised the national football team for its the new record of 15 consecutive victories and appeared hopeful that 'La Seleccion' can go on and win the Confederations Cup.

Spain established the new record by beating hosts South Africa 2-0 in Bloemfontein on Saturday, with their habitual slick possession football - and goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente.

The authoritative win leaves 'La Seleccion' top of Group 1 and in the semi-finals, where they will meet the second team in Group 2, again in Bloemfontein.

The previous record of 14 straight international wins was established by Australia, between 1996 and 1997.

The latest achievement of 'La Seleccion' made the front-page of most Spanish newspapers on Sunday.

'Spain: A World Record' is the headline in sports daily AS, which quotes coach Vicente del Bosque as saying that 'this team will beat more records.'

Rival daily Marca comments that 'this is the best ever Spanish national team ... and the best national team in the world right now.'

Catalan paper Sport, for its part, says that 'Spain should really go on to win the tournament now.'

El Pais singles out Villa for special praise. The Euro 2008 top scorer is caught in the middle of an ugly transfer tug-of-war between Valencia and Real Madrid. He missed a penalty against South Africa, 'but straight away showed his character by opening the scoring with another of his classy goals.'

Villa is now second in the list of Spain's all-time international goalscorers with 31 goals, 13 behind top-of-the-list Raul of Real Madrid, who has not been picked since 2006.

El Mundo, for its part, comments that 'winning has become a habit for this team', and that 'it will be difficult for anyone to beat them, because of the way that they hold on to the ball.'

Spain's winning run started in the semi-finals of Euro 2008 a year ago, against Russia. They then beat Germany in the final in Vienna, which was the last game in charge for Luis Aragones, who left for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Del Bosque took over from him last July and has continued the winning run, by wisely sticking with the same players, possession style and 4-4-2 formation.

Unless Spain lose in the semi-finals, they will establish a second record: of 36 games unbeaten, dating back to 2006.

The current record of 35 games unbeaten is held by Brazil, from 1993 to 1996.