David Villa became Spain's record goalscorer when he netted twice in a 2-1 win over Czech Republic.
Barcelona forward completes turnaround to overtake Raul
David Villa became Spain's record goalscorer in his own right when he netted twice in a 2-1 Euro 2012 Group I qualifying win over Czech Republic in Granada.
Jaroslav Plasil's sensational goal had given the Czech's a first-half lead, but Villa then completed the turnaround in the second half to give Spain a perfect 12 points from four games.
The Barcelona forward beat goalkeeper Petr Cech with a low shot in the 69th minute and then converted a penalty in the 73rd to reach 46 international goals, two ahead of former Real Madrid striker Raul.
The win sends Spain six points clear of the Czech Republic at the top of Group I with a 100% record.
It looked at the start of the match like being a routine night for the world and European champions as they dominated the early going.
Iniesta tested Cech after only two minutes, with the Chelsea goalkeeper fumbling his save before gathering, and moments later Joan Capdevila headed narrowly wide.
Iniesta tried again in the 11th minute, but Cech pushed his shot away.
Xavi curled a free-kick wide as Spain continued to probe, while Villa then forced a fantastic save from Cech with a volleyed shot.
Long range
So it was against the run of play that Plasil fired the visitors ahead with a powerful shot from long range that stunned Iker Casillas and the watching fans.
Following all their early chances, Spain struggled for a response, and it was not until late in the first half that they created any more opportunities.
Gerard Pique headed just wide from Xavi's 42nd minute corner, and Villa then brought another save out of Cech with a header.
The goalkeeper then had to punch Xabi Alonso's free-kick clear before holding a Villa shot just before half-time.
Spain were slow to get going in the second half, with a long-range volley from Santi Cazorla which was eye-catching, but easy enough for Cech.
Sergio Ramos headed wide on the hour mark as the frustrations of the hosts grew.
Villa and Iniesta fired wide, and Cech then tipped a Pique header over the bar, leaving Spain wondering what more they could do to score.
Answer
The answer came in the 69th minute when Iniesta teed up Villa to fire home left-footed from the edge of the area for his landmark 45th international goal.
The 29-year-old added a second moments later after Iniesta was felled, firing his penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.
Fernando Torres had come off the bench, but the goal drought which has afflicted him at Chelsea transferred to the international stage as he missed a good chance from close range in the 76th minute.
Plasil could not repeat his heroics as he sent an 81st minute free-kick into the wall in a rare chance for the hosts, while the game ended with one final chance for Villa, which Cech parried.
