LEIPZIG, June 14 ??“ Spain made their best start to a World Cup finals, demolishing 10-man Ukraine 4-0 on Wednesday on an afternoon the tournament debutantes would rather forget, Reuters reported.

Two goals from the outstanding David Villa, one a deflected free kick and the second from the first penalty awarded in the competition, a header from Xabi Alonso and a powerful volley from Fernando Torres secured Spain's emphatic Group H victory.