Spain fullback Mario Gaspar scored with a stunning volley and Santi Cazorla added a late goal as the European champions enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over England in a friendly between the continental heavyweights last night.

Neither captain Iker Casillas in the Spain goal nor his England counterpart Joe Hart were much troubled before Cesc Fabregas lifted the ball over the England defence for Gaspar to strike in the 72nd minute at the Jose Rico Perez stadium.

The Villarreal defender, who scored on his debut in a 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory against Ukraine last month, watched the ball come over his shoulder and swivelled to hook it brilliantly past Hart into the far corner.

“I tried to finish off the attack and the ball just went where it had to go,” Gaspar said in an interview with Spanish television.

“It was one of the best goals of my life.”

Juan Mata had a chance to double the lead for the hosts four minutes later when he was clean through on goal but Hart did well to block his effort before Nolito teed up Cazorla to stroke the ball into the bottom corner six minutes from time.

Belgium came from behind to beat Italy 3-1 in an open and entertaining friendly in Brussels, underlining their status as one of the favourites for next year’s Euro 2016.

A largely full-strength Italy took the lead inside three minutes when Belgium keeper Simon Mignolet, given a rare start, pulled off a great low save to deny Graziano Pelle, but could only push the ball to Antonio Candreva for a simple tap-in.

Belgium, who came into the game top of FIFA’s rankings, were level 10 minutes later when a totally unmarked Jan Vertonghen headed in a Kevin De Bruyne corner.

De Bruyne finally put the hosts ahead in the 74th minute, beating Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon, who had just parried a shot from substitute Michy Batshuayi. Batshuayi then slammed in a third in the 83rd minute.

Paris explosions

Euro 2016 hosts France eased past rivals Germany 2-0 courtesy of goals from Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac in a match that saw the World Cup winners far from their best.

The game was overshadowed by several explosions outside the Stade de France in Paris which left the fans inside the arena concerned, although the action continued to its conclusion to a subdued backdrop.

The French, missing Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena after a sex-tape scandal, needed to wait until the stroke of half-time to make an impact with Giroud continuing his fine scoring run this season and slotting in from an Anthony Martial cutback.

Gignac then headed in their second goal in the 86th minute to seal victory.

Germany failed to put in a fighting performance, as promised, to restore some pride with the national association locked in a 2006 World Cup scandal.

Summaries

Czech Rep. 4
Sivock 17; Necid 63 pen.; Krejci 81; Zahustel 90;
Serbia 1
Skuletic 78;

Belgium 3
Vertonghen 13; De Bruyne 74; Batshuayi 83;
Italy 1
Candreva 3;

France 2
Giroud 45; Gignac 83;
Germany 0

Luxembourg 1
Joachim 90;
Greece 0

N. Ireland 1
Davis 55;
Latvia 0

Qatar 1
Assadalla 26;
Turkey 2
Turan 70; Tosun 73;

Poland 4
Grosicki 51; Kapustka 66; Lewandowski 75, 79;
Iceland 2
Sigurdsson 4 pen.; Finnbogason 69;

Slovakia 3
Duris 39, 48; Mak 55;
Switzerland 2
Derdiyok 63; Drmic 67;

Spain 2
Gaspar 72; Cazorla 84;
England 0

Wales 2
Ledley 45; Huws 70;
Netherlands 3
Dost 32; Robben 54, 81;