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 Impressive Spain crush Ukrainians
 Vashchyuk was harshly sent off for tugging at Torres's shorts. SPECIAL REPORT
• Special: World Cup 2006
LEIPZIG, Germany -- Spain made their best start to a World Cup finals, demolishing 10-man Ukraine 4-0 on Wednesday on an afternoon the tournament debutants would rather forget. After taking a 13th minute lead through Xabi Alonso they added two more from David Villa and a superb fourth from young Atletico striker Fernando Torres. Ukraine, totally outplayed, were reduced to 10 men after 47 minutes when Vladislav Vashchyuk was harshly sent off for tugging at Torres's shorts. Spain took their run to 23 matches without defeat since Luis Aragones became coach after Euro 2004. They played sparkling football in defense, midfield and attack and could easily have added more goals. In contrast, Andriy Shevchenko, the 2004 Footballer of the Year who has been signed by Chelsea from AC Milan for almost 30 million pounds ($55.24 million), hardly had a meaningful touch. Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin gave his players a tongue-lashing, saying they had let down the fans in their World Cup debut. "It's scandalous to lose 4-0 and at times we were playing like the worst team in Europe," the bullish former Soviet Union striker said in typically blunt fashion. "The players didn't respect the instructions given to them," he added. "I'm not sad because of the score....I'm sorry for the fans." Spain went ahead after 13 minutes, Alonso bravely getting his head to the ball from Xavi's left-wing corner. Four minutes later the lead was doubled. Andriy Rusol conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area with a clumsy challenge and then compounded his blunder by deflecting Villa's free kick past hapless goalkeeper Oleksander Shovkovsky. Plans wreckedBlokhin attempted to pep up his side by bringing on Andriy Vorobei and Oleg Shelayev at halftime but his plans were wrecked within 90 seconds of the restart when Vashchyuck was harshly shown the red card for hauling back Torres. Although the offense was clearly outside the area Torres did not tumble until he was inside and Ukraine were doubly punished. Shovkovsky made a brave attempt to keep out Villa's penalty but, although he touched the ball, he could not prevent it from going inside the post. Spain crowned their impressive display when Torres volleyed home after a flowing move started by Carles Puyol on the halfway line. "I am very pleased with the goals and in particular for the win," Villa told Spanish television. "We hope it will be the first step in a good World Cup for Spain. We gave our all today, the fans have enjoyed themselves and I hope it continues like this." Shevchenko had been suffering from a knee injury and Blokhin left a decision on whether to play his top striker until the last minute. "In football you win some, you lose some. But certainly if you lose 4-0 then you are doing something wrong," Shevchenko told reporters.  Torres tumbles in the area and Vashchyuk, left, pays the penalty. "We need to work on our defence and I think if we can sort that out then we can start winning again." Shevchenko said it had been important for him to play 90 minutes and he was ready for Ukraine's final two Group H matches against Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. "I'm feeling good physically again now. It's hard when you haven't played for a while to get into shape but if you want to get in shape you have to play." Blokhin said the players had to put the defeat behind them and look ahead to the next matches. "All is not lost yet, there's still a long way to go," he said. "The key thing now is to get the players' morale back up." 
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