Ronaldo, Kaka give Real 2-0 win at Villarrea

A superb early goal from Cristiano Ronaldo and a second-half Kaka penalty gave Real Madrid a 2-0 win at 10-man Villarreal in La Liga on Wednesday. Real paid around 160 million euros ($236 million) for the Portuguese winger and Brazilian playmaker in the close season, including a world record 94 million euros for Ronaldo, and the gulf in class was evident from the start.

The home side were rocked back in the second minute when Ronaldo sped down the left wing, cut inside and struck with a low shot from just outside the penalty area for his fifth league goal in four matches. Villarreal defender Gonzalo Rodriguez was sent off 10 minutes before the break, earning a second yellow card for catching Kaka in the chest with a reckless flying kick.

Kaka stepped up to double Real's lead in the 73rd minute when the referee ruled Angel Lopez had handled Marcelo's cross and Gonzalo Higuain and Ronaldo both went close as Real pressed for a third. Their fourth win out of four put them level on 12 points with champions Barcelona, who thrashed Racing Santander 4-1 on Tuesday thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi and one apiece from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gerard Pique.

Ronaldo scored inside the first minute in Sunday's 5-0 rout of promoted Xerez and he said his early goal on Wednesday had thrown Villarreal off their stride. "They are difficult to beat at home but we managed it and after Kaka's goal we were more in control," he told reporters. At the Calderon, Atletico Madrid conceded an equaliser in the 89th minute to draw 2-2 with Almeria, increasing the pressure on coach Abel Resino with his side on just two points from four matches.

Athletic Bilbao missed their chance to make it four wins out of four when they lost 1-0 at promoted Tenerife and Manu del Moral scored twice and Pedro Leon curled in a stunning freekick as Getafe came from a goal down to beat visiting Valencia 3-1. Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan missed a first-half penalty for Atletico before Almeria took the lead in the 26th minute when Albert Crusat found space on the left and crossed for Pablo Piatti to finish past Roberto.

Cleber Santana equalised and a defensive error let Forlan to give Atletico the lead 10 minutes into the second half. Piatti then grabbed his second to secure a point for Hugo Sanchez's side and Atletico's players and staff were whistled from the pitch by their disgruntled fans.

Messi pushes formidable Barca to the summit

Champions Barcelona moved back to the top of the Spanish table with a thumping 4-1 win at Racing Santander on Tuesday to maintain their perfect start to the season. Argentine Lionel Messi scored a brace, including a brilliant solo goal, making him the league's top-scorer with five goals while Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his record of scoring in every game and now has four to his name.

It is a maximum 12 points from four games for Barcelona representing their best start since the 1997/98 season. Real Madrid can move level on points with Barca if they can win at Villarreal on Wednesday. Barca blitzed Atletico Madrid at the weekend with four goals inside the first 41 minutes and did the trick again in Santander establishing a three-goal lead by the 26th minute.

A destructive six-minute spell saw Ibrahimovic open the scoring in the 20th minute to maintain his goal a game record. Three minutes later Messi exchanged passes with Xavi before curling into the corner for his fourth goal of the season. Gerard Pique, getting a reputation for a goalscoring defender, netted the third on 26 minutes after a great touch from Ibrahimovic.

It could have been more in a one-sided first-half with Ibrahimovic hitting the post and Messi having a goal ruled out for offside. Ibrahimovic had to go off in the second half because of a twisted ankle with Pedro coming on in in his place. Messi then wriggled past three defenders to score his second goal of the game before Oscar Serrano netted a consolation goal.

Sevilla notched a third successive win to join Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao on nine points after defeating Real Mallorca 2-0 at home on Tuesday. Mallorca could have gone top of the table with a victory but Sevilla were a cut above and took the spoils thanks to first-half goals from Sebastian Squillaci and Argentine Diego Perotti.

Sevilla welcomed back Brazilian international Luis Fabiano but it was French centre-back Squillaci who surprisingly opened the scoring after 17 minutes. It was a goal made in France with Julien Escude heading the ball across goal for compatriot Squillaci to head in off the underside of the crossbar. The second goal was created brilliantly by Fabiano and Jesus Navas who crossed for Perotti to head home from close range.

Mallorca had a golden chance to make it 2-1 close to half-time but Fernando Varela was foiled by Andres Palop. Brazilian Adriano almost made it 3-0 minutes after the interval but a last-ditch block denied him a brilliant solo goal. Sevilla climb to third with their third consecutive victory while Mallorca lie sixth after their first defeat of the campaign.

"We were 2-0 up and could have scored two more but then we relaxed," said Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez. "We can't afford to do that because games can last 90 or sometimes 95 minutes and you have to play right until the end."

Real Madrid's expensive 'Galacticos' face their hardest test so far with a trip to Villarreal on Wednesday as coach Manuel Pellegrini goes back to his old club. "It is a joy to go back to Villarreal," said Pellegrini. "There were five years at a great club and I met some fantastic people. The fans always treated me well during my time there and I hope I get a good reception."

Pellegrini has guided Real to three straight victories while his successor at Villarreal Ernesto Valverde has yet to win a game. Atletico Madrid, another team looking for a top four spot, have also had a nervy start with just one point from nine ahead of Wednesday's home match against Almeria. Coach Abel Resino got the dreaded vote of confidence from Atletico president Enrique Cerezo this week following the 5-2 humiliation by Barcelona over the weekend.

Rampant Chelsea make it six in a row

Chelsea extended their 100 percent record under Carlo Ancelotti as goals from Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba gave them a comfortable 3-0 victory over London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The win was enough to lift them back above Manchester United to the summit of the Premier League, three points ahead of their rivals, who had briefly gone top with a 4-3 win over Manchester City earlier in the day.

Tottenham were second best but left having lost more than three points as defenders Ledley King and Sebastien Bassong both suffered serious-looking injuries. Drogba, along with Jose Bosingwa, had returned to the home line-up following midweek Champions League suspension, with Branislav Ivanovic and Salomon Kalou making way.

Chelsea almost opened the scoring in the eighth minute when right-back Bosingwa latched on to Ballack's header and fired in a shot from the edge of the area. Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, the ex-Chelsea man, was relieved to see the ball rebound back into play off top of his near post. Jermain Defoe should have given Tottenham the lead three minutes later though when he was played through by Wilson Palacios's fine ball.

The England marksman already has five Premier League goals to his name this season but this time was denied by the boot of Petr Cech, the Chelsea goalkeeper. Cech was needed again to deflect away Tom Huddlestone's long-ranger, which caught him by surprise, and Jermaine Jenas fired wide by the most slender of margins from the next attack. Chelsea's reply was a header from Frank Lampard that wasn't far away either and an effort from Nicolas Anelka that fizzed into the side-netting.

The home side's appeals for a penalty when Vedran Corluka and Ballack collided in the box were ignored by referee Howard Webb but the reprieve was short-lived for the Croatia defender as Chelsea scored seconds later. Drogba fired in a cross from the right that was met by Cole's diving header, with the left-back having stolen in ahead of Corluka.

The second half began with Lampard scuffing a good chance wide but there was trouble for Tottenham when centre-back King's already-damaged knee failed him and he was replaced by Alan Hutton. Webb had another decision to make when Ricardo Carvalho challenged Robbie Keane in the Chelsea box. Again he ruled no penalty should be awarded although the defender appeared to clip Keane.

Chelsea doubled their lead through Ballack straight afterwards. Anelka's cross was chested down by Drogba and Cudicini could not hold on to the low shot that followed. Lampard was first to the loose ball and set up the German for a tap-in. Further disaster for Corluka and Cudicini followed when Cole's long ball over the top sent Drogba clear of the Croatian, who had switched to centre-back in King's absence.

Out came Cudicini only for Corluka to divert the ball past him and Drogba collect it for another tap-in. Cudicini almost cost Tottenham another when he let slip a shot from John Obi Mikel, who had come on for Ballack, but the Italian just managed to claw it away before it trundled over the line. Yet there was further misery for Spurs when Bassong fell heavily and had to be stretchered off, a fate that then befell Drogba five minutes before the end.

Arsenal thrash Wigan 4-0, Liverpool win at West Ham

Arsenal bounced back from two successive Premier League defeats in emphatic style by thrashing Wigan Athletic 4-0 at the Emirates on Saturday while Liverpool triumphed 3-2 at West Ham United. Belgian centre back Thomas Vermaelen got two for Arsenal in a one-sided affair while Fernando Torres grabbed a double as Liverpool overcame a West Ham side who twice came from behind.

Aston Villa also gained ground on the leaders with a 2-0 home win over Portsmouth, who are still without a point after six games. Promoted Burnley's good start continued when they beat Sunderland 3-1 with two goals on debut from on-loan striker David Nugent, Birmingham City beat Hull City 1-0 away while Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City drew 1-1.

Liverpool and Villa move on to 12 points -- joining Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur --while Chelsea lead the way with a maximum 15 points. There are four games on Sunday, including the Manchester derby and Chelsea versus Spurs at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal began the day nine points behind Chelsea having lost to Manchester United and City in their last two games but were back to their imperious best on home soil.

Their early control was rewarded after 25 minutes when Vermaelen headed in a corner. Vermaelen, already looking an astute summer signing after joining from Ajax Amsterdam for a reported 10 million pounds ($16.35 million), doubled the lead with a superbly taken left footed curler four minutes into the second half.

Emmanuel Eboue got the third on the hour when he diverted an Eduardo Da Silva shot after the Croatian's initial effort came back from a post. Cesc Fabregas, limping heavily, backheeled the fourth in the last minute to take Arsenal's goal tally to 17 in five league games - only three of them wins. "We scored four today and we could have scored more. That shows we have potential," manager Arsene Wenger told reporters.

"It is good for the confidence of the team that we didn't concede and I think we will be more solid as we get used to the way we want to play. "I believe we have produced quality performances since the start of the season but weren't rewarded twice. "Today we have shown attitude quality, fluency and I'm very optimistic there is something special in this team."

Liverpool went ahead after 20 minutes when Fernando Torres burst through in the area but West Ham, with only one win over the visitors in nine years, equalised with an Alessandro Diamanti penalty after Zavon Hines, who hit a post early on, was brought down by Jamie Carragher.

Dirk Kuyt restored their lead after 41 minutes when he diverted a Steven Gerrard header into the net only for Carlton Cole to level again at the end of the half with a sharp glancing header. Liverpool gradually exerted more and more pressure in the second half and took the points when Torres nodded in Ryan Babel's cross after 75 minutes.

Lionel Messi sparks five-goal Barcelona to victory

Argentine star Lionel Messi celebrated his new deal with Barcelona by scoring twice in the European champions' 5-2 win over floundering Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Messi signed a two-year contract extension on Friday which will keep him at the club until 2016, with a buy-out clause rising from 150 million to an even more staggering 250 million euros.

He showed his value to the defending champions on Saturday as Barcelona made it three wins in three games to stay top of the table. Having failed to record a win so far this season the signs were ominous for Atletico ahead of their visit to the Nou Camp, and with memories of their 5-1 defeat by Barca in their last visit to Catalonia still fresh, they quickly went behind after a good finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In an open game, Messi then scored the first of a brace, rounding the keeper after being put clear by Xavi Hernandez. Atletico too had their chances though with Dmytro Chygrynskiy having a rocky home debut at centre half. Maxi Rodriguez and Jose Jurado had chances to pull a goal back before a Dani Alves free-kick and a Seydou Keita tap-in gave Barca a 4-0 advantage.

A poor header from Sergio Busquets set up Sergio Aguero who pulled a goal back before half-time. Barcelona took their foot off the pedal after the break but continued to control the game except for rare counter-attacks from Atletico, one of which, leading to a Diego Forlan goals six minutes from time.

Messi though completed the scoring during injury time. New signing Alvaro Negredo scored his first goal for Sevilla, who gave further evidence that they will be a force to reckon with this season as they beat Osasuna 2-0. It was over 15 years since Sevilla last won in Pamplona but the Osasuna defence struggled with the power and strength of Negredo and Frederic Kanoute from the start - the Malian hitting the crossbar mid-way through the first half.

Osasuna did enjoy some possession if few chances and it was Negredo, supplied by Adriano Correia, who put the visitors ahead after 36 minutes. In the second half Walter Pandiani missed a glorious chance to equalise before Kanoute doubled Sevilla's advantage and secured the victory. Late on Sergio Fernandez was dismissed for a strong challenge on Diego Perotti to add to Osasuna's woes.

Racing Santander came out on top with their clash with Malaga who will rue missed chances. The match finished 2-1 with Sergio Duda equalising a first half goal from Manuel Arana but Nasief Morris headed home the winner eleven minutes from time. The home forward line, and especially Edinho and Nabil Baha, will look back with regret though on their poor finishing.

Earlier Real Mallorca equalled their best ever start to a season with a convincing 4-0 win over newly promoted Tenerife. The Balearic Island side took the game to Tenerife from the start, going ahead after 16 minutes through Mario Suarez. With the ball loose in the penalty area following a corner, the midfielder was quickest to react and slotted home.

Tenerife fought back and had the chances to equalise before half-time notably for Richi Perez, who failed one-on-one with the keeper but in the second half Mallorca finished off the match. Artiz Aduriz completed a good move after 50 minutes and then eight minutes later Julio Alvarez was put through by Borja Valero and he beat the keeper clinically. Then two minutes before time a Pierre Webo penalty completed the rout.

After the match coach Gregorio Manzano claimed that his side were technically superior."We should not get carried away as in the first half Tenerife had a reasonable amount of possession. We changed our system in the second half and that was when Tenerife really struggled," he said.

Bottom side Espanyol managed their first win of the season, and their first goals, with a 3-2 away win at Deportivo la Coruna. Real Madrid spent heavily over the summer looking to bring an end to Barca's dominance.

While it had been said that Cristiano Ronaldo was feeling the pressure of expectancy after his high-profile move from Manchester United his two goals for Real in their midweek Champions League victory over FC Zurich will have worked well to take the pressure off his shoulders. As the team prepare to face Xerez on Sunday the bad news is that they will be without Xabi Alonso for up to ten days with a calf injury.

Barcelona held to 0-0 draw at Inter Milan

Defending champion Barcelona was held to a 0-0 draw by Inter Milan to start their Champions League campaign Wednesday, as the matchup between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o against their former teams fizzled out to a rain-soaked stalemate. Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi had good chances to break the deadlock in the first half, but the rugged Inter defense stopped the Spaniards from building any attacking momentum in the second.

Inter came close twice in the second half, with Wesley Sneijder and substitute Dejan Stankovic narrowly missing the target with their efforts. Barcelona started the Group F match the brighter of the two teams. He went on a dribbling run in the second minute past Lucio and Javier Zanetti, but goalkeeper Julio Cesar saved the shot.

In his first match back at the San Siro, Ibrahimovic's first touch of the ball was greeted with a chorus of whistles from Inter's fans but they dissipated as the match went on. The Sweden forward had a great scoring chance in the seventh minute. Daniel Alves chipped over the defense to him, but Ibrahimovic hit his volley high and wide with only Cesar to beat.

A minute later, Messi's header forcing Cesar to react quickly to the danger after Alves had crossed to the Argentine at the far post. Neither team was able to take control of the match, with a number of promising moves breaking down as players drifted offside and passes failed to reach their intended target.

Diego Milito had Inter's best chance in the 28th. Cesar punted down field and Barcelona's defense failed to react, allowing the former Genoa striker to cut inside Gerard Pique to shoot, but goalkeeper Victor Valdes dived low to save the shot. Barcelona came close to scoring twice more before halftime. In the 41st, Xavi chipped the ball to Alves in the area. The Brazilian pulled it back to Seydou Keita, but the Malian hit a weak shot and Cesar scrambled to make the save.

Then, with one minute remaining in the half, Messi produced a typical run off the right wing, hit a powerful drive but again Cesar came to Inter's rescue, acrobatically pushing the ball away for a corner. Inter went close in the 47th when Eto'o rolled the ball across the edge of the area to Sneijder, whose shot went just wide of the post.

Barcelona continued to play its short passing game but was often crowded out by Inter's defense. Inter's Thiago Motta put Xavi under pressure in central midfield, with fullbacks Cristian Chivu and Maicon limiting Messi's and Thierry Henry's runs. Even the introduction of Andres Iniesta failed to spark Barcelona, while neither Messi and Xavi managed to exert a telling influence toward the end of the match.

Ronaldo, Kaka eye new golden Real Euro era

Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, who cost Real Madrid over 150 million euros, aim to lead the Spanish giants to a 10th European title this Ronaldo, Kaka season, with their campaign starting in the humble surroundings of FC Zurich on Tuesday. Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, insists the historic winning mentality at the club will be key to driving them to a place in the Champions League final which will be staged at their Santiago Bernabeu home in May next year.

"This is a club used to winning, a lot of the players here are winners, but now it's about a new team and a new squad," said Ronaldo, keen to dismiss comparisons with the Galactico era. "That's why we have to create the right mentality for us to win the league, the Champions League and the cups. This is a club obsessed with winning and now the players here have to think the same way."

Real's last Champions League triumph came in 2002 and with bitter rivals Barcelona taking the title last season, the club's ambition has been sharpened further.Last season Real Madrid were beaten 5-0 on aggregate by Liverpool in the first knockout round. It was the fifth successive season they had lost out in the last 16.

"The ambition is to win the Champions League," said Kaka. "On top of that, you have the possibility of us being at home (in the final) and it would be fantastic to play the final at the Bernabeu." Real and FC Zurich have met once before in the competition but that was 45 years ago with the Spaniards winning 8-1 over two legs in the semi-final before losing to Inter Milan 3-1 in the final.

Defender Raul Albiol is a doubt for Real having twisted his ankle against Espanyol at the weekend while Pepe could make his first appearance this season. The Portuguese centre-back is suspended for two more games in the Spanish league - as part of a 10-match ban imposed last season for violent conduct - but is eligible to play in Europe.

Zurich reached this stage with a play-off defeat of FK Ventspils with Johan Vonlanthen, Silvan Aegerter and Dusan Djuric securing a 3-0 win in Latvia before second-leg strikes from Vonlanthen and Almen Abdi completed a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Williams sisters reach US Open doubles final

Serena and Venus Williams are back in the US Open women's doubles final for the first time in a decade. The fourth-seeded Americans beat No. 13-seeded Alisa Kleybanova and Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-2 in the semi-finals Thursday.

The Williams sisters are aiming for their 10th career Grand Slam doubles title as a pair and third this season. Their only US Open doubles championship came in 1999.

They are 9-0 in major doubles finals. The other semi-final, scheduled for Friday, pits the defending champions and top-seeded pair of Cara Black and Liezel Huber against the third-seeded team of Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs.

Federer reaches US Open semi-finals

Top seed and defending champion Roger Federer reached the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday by defeating Robin Soderling 6-0, 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (8/6), but the Swede made him scrap for it after a dismal start. It will be a record 22nd consecutive appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final for the Swiss star who is also bidding to win a record-equalling sixth straight US Open title.

Federer will play Serbian fourth seed Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday's final and the chance to win a 16th Grand Slam title, two more than all-time second best Pete Sampras. "It was so close towards the end and it's a great relief to come through because he played better and better as the game went on," he said.

"It was too easy at the start, but he battled his way back into it and showed what a great player he is. "It was cool when it started and being from Switzerland that was OK with me, but then it got cooler and him being from Sweden that was in his favour."

Soderling had two break points on Federer's opening serve but after failing to convert either of those, he was simply blown away by the artistry and power of the Swiss star's game. The first set was wrapped up in just 26 minutes with Soderling left shaking his head at his own inability to do anything about stopping the onslaught.

Soderling, who lost to Federer in the French Open final after pulling off the upset of the year by ending Rafael Nadal's reign at Roland Garros, finally opened his account by holding serve to draw level 1-1 in the second set. The big Swede stayed with Federer until 2-2, but then dropped serve for a fourth time and Federer raced away to take the set 6-3 after a bout of racquet-smashing from his frustrated opponent.

The third set saw Soderling steady the sinking ship and he even had two break points to lead 4-2, but they both were rubbed out by big serves from Federer. He did succeed in dragging Federer into a tie-break but fell quickly behind 4-0. It looked all over, but with nothing to lose, and finally unleashing his big serves and forehands, Soderling clawed his way back into it from 2-5 down to force a fourth set by taking the tie-break 8-6.

It was just the second set Soderling had taken off Federer in 12 matches dating back to 2004. There was just a hint of frustration from Federer over his inability to put Soderling away as the Swede stubbornly hung on to his serve in the fourth set to force a second tie-break. Both men sent down some big serves and Soderling had a set point at 6-5 to force a fifth set, but hit a forehand long and wide.

Federer then took the final two points of the match to chalk up his 40th straight win at Flushing Meadows, including one walkover. Turning to his semi-final against Djikovic, Federer said: "I've played him here the last couple of years, a final and a semi. "It will be a tough match and I am looking forward to it."

World Cup in sight for England, Serbia, Spain

England, Serbia, Spain and Slovakia can all book their places at next summer's World Cup in South Africa when European qualifying Spain players continues on Wednesday. England and Serbia have the most straightforward tasks, with both sides needing just a victory to secure top spot in their respective groups and subsequently progress to the finals.

Fabio Capello's England take on Croatia at Wembley, while Serbia welcome Raymond Domenech's under-achieving France to Belgrade.European champions Spain, meanwhile, can guarantee their passage only if they beat Estonia in Merida and second-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina fail to win at home to Turkey.Slovakia will qualify if they win in Northern Ireland and the match between Slovenia and Poland in Maribor ends in a draw.

A place in a fourth consecutive World Cup awaits England if they beat Croatia, but revenge is also likely to be a motivating factor for the home side.The Croats prevented England from qualifying for Euro 2008 by beating them 3-2 on a sodden November night at Wembley in 2007 and England midfielder Gareth Barry says the players will draw inspiration from that dispiriting defeat.

"There's a lot of players in that dressing room who won't forget that night at Wembley and we're back here again," said the Manchester City man."There'll be a few memories but it's a different manager and a different team and although it will be in the back of our minds, we'll be confident."

England's failure two years ago set in motion a chain of events that saw Capello replace Steve McClaren at the helm and the Italian has since overseen a run of seven straight competitive wins.Croatia, though, arrive desperate for points in their bid to finish ahead of third-placed Ukraine and coach Slaven Bilic has upped the ante by claiming that England have lost vital qualities under Capello.

"They are a very different team," said Bilic."They have some advantages but they are also missing something from their game. They are missing some Englishness, some of the things that have always made England teams difficult to defend against and play against," added Bilic, who spent four years in England playing for West Ham and Everton.

Croatia's Balkan neighbours Serbia go into their crunch clash with France in a far healthier position, four points clear of Domenech's men and with South Africa in sight.Radomir Antic's side will be just three points away from qualifying even if they only manage a draw on Wednesday, but Antic says they will not be playing it safe.

"We're not interested in any calculations, we got the result we wanted from the France v Romania match [1-1] and it's now our turn to prove our worth," said the former Atletico Madrid handler."We know who we're up against but we're improving all the time and we want to make an impact on the world soccer map, not just qualify for the World Cup."

France are not the only major nation in danger of missing out on qualification, as Portugal currently trail Group One leaders Denmark by seven points.The play-offs already look Portugal's most likely route to South Africa, but defeat to second-placed Hungary in Budapest on Wednesday would leave Cristiano Ronaldo
and co with only a mathematical chance of finishing second.

"We have to raise our heads and keep believing," said Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz. "The game is not over and while it lasts, we have to believe."Denmark can move to within three points of qualification if they win in Albania, while Group Two leaders Switzerland will also be within touching distance of the finals if they win in Latvia and Greece fail to beat Moldova.Elsewhere, Scotland can secure second place in Group Nine with a draw at home to Bert van Marwijk's already-qualified Netherlands.

Spain crush Belgium to near World Cup

European champions Spain moved to within touching distance of the World Cup finals after coasting to a 5-0 win over Belgium in La Coruna Spain on Saturday.Valencia duo David Silva and David Villa both scored twice with Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also on target in the five-goal romp and the scoreline should have been more emphatic.

The double from Villa, who also missed a penalty, raises his international goals tally to 33 in just 51 games as he closes in on the national record of 44 held by Real Madrid striker Raul. Spain have a flawless seven wins at the top of Group 5, six points ahead of second-placed Bosnia Herzegovina who won 2-0 at Armenia.

If Spain beat Estonia in Merida on Wednesday and Bosnia fail to beat Turkey they will qualify for the World Cup finals with two games to spare. "It was nice to win and get back scoring again (after three games without a goal)," said Villa.

"We started so well and should have been more than 1-0 up at the break. I missed my penalty although it was a bit unfortunate although I will be ready to take the next one that comes up." Silva added: "It was an important game to win and we did it well. I am coming back following injury and just hope I can continue injury-free for the rest of the season."

Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna failed to recover from a knock sustained at the weekend so emerging Barcelona star Sergi Busquets, 21, won his seventh cap starting alongside Xabi Alonso in central midfield. Alonso's Real Madrid team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa was also handed a chance to impress at right-back with Sergio Ramos still injured.

Injuries meant Belgium had to hand a tough debut to goalkeeper Jean Francois Gillet. Gillet had a busy game throughout and Villa went close twice in the opening ten minutes. Villa zipped a low shot just wide of post in the eighth minute and then spurned a golden chance two minutes later with the debutant goalkeeper blocking his effort with his legs.

Belgium were struggling and Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen collected the first yellow card of the match for hacking down Fernando Torres. In the 21st minute Villa won a soft penalty by wrongfooting Anthony Vanden Borre and picked himself up for the spot-kick. The Valencia striker opted to strike his penalty down the middle and Gillet saved with his trailing foot.

Villa then hit the post before setting up Silva for the goal on 41 minutes with a delightful pass and Silva made no mistake with a clinical finish for only his fourth international goal. After a frustrating first half Villa got his goal four minutes after the break with a trademark right-footed finish.

Sixty seconds later centre-half Pique showed a striker's composure in the penalty area to make it 3-0 before Silva smashed in a terrific second goal. Villa grabbed the final goal of the game on 85 minutes as Spain tore the visitors apart on the counter attack. Belgium have just seven points so can forget the World Cup in South Africa while Spain are on the brink of qualifying and would go to the tournament as one of the favourites.

Messi best in the world right now

Although Kaka remains hopeful he will be crowned the best player in the world again, he acknowledges Lionel Messi deserves that title for now. "He is a player who makes a difference," Kaka said on Thursday, just two days before meeting Messi in a World Cup qualifier between South American rivals Brazil and Argentina. "I would vote for him for all he has done, leading Barcelona to all these titles."

Messi has never won FIFA's Player of the Year Award but he is considered a front-runner for this year's title. Kaka won it in 2007 and has constantly said his goal was to earn the prize again. "It remains my objective to get back there and win it," the Real Madrid midfielder said.

Kaka dismissed a duel with Messi when in the qualifier at Rosario on Saturday. "The media always talks about a duel, that was the case with me and Cristiano Ronaldo, too," Kaka said. "But on the field it's not like that. It will be Brazil vs. Argentina and both teams have several talented players on both sides."

Kaka, who will be making his 70th appearance for Brazil, said he sees himself with a little of the "art" of Argentina coach Diego Maradona and some of the "efficiency" of Brazil coach Dunga.

"I opted for a mix so I can be a complete player," Kaka said. "I'm not a great artist like Maradona was, I know my limitations and that talent alone is not enough. The ideal is to mix art and efficiency." Kaka is one goal shy of tying Romario and Zico as Brazil's leading scorers in World Cup qualifiers with 11 goals.

"It would be special to do it against Argentina," he said. "But there still are four matches left and hopefully I'll be able to reach that mark, which would be nice because I'm not really a true striker." Kaka said he was anxious about Real Madrid's upcoming encounter with former club AC Milan in the group stage of the Champions League.

"It will be the first time I play against a former club, so I don't know how it's going to be," Kaka said. "It's going to be a bit hard to play at San Siro (stadium), where the fans supported me for six years of my life and now they will be cheering against me."

Kaka said Real Madrid has a "very talented" group with "impressive" players in all positions, but it still needs to improve in order to play up to its full potential. "We have to improve a lot," Kaka said. "We need these talented players to become a group and achieve good results."

Brazil leads South American qualifying with 27 points, one more than Chile and three more than Paraguay. Argentina is fourth with 22. The top four automatically secure a spot in next year's World Cup in South Africa. Brazil, a five-time world champion, can clinch a spot if it beats Argentina and Colombia beats Ecuador and Uruguay fails to defeat Peru.

Sania-Francesca in US Open second round

Sania Mirza overcame from her defeat at the singles journey and has emerged victorious in the mixed doubles and women's doubles event of the US Open. The Indian tennis ace and Francesca Schiavone of Italy beat Ekaterina Dzehalevich and Renata Voracova 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 to enter the second round of the women's doubles of the US Open.

The pair will meet Gisela Dulko and Shahar Peer in the second round of the US Open. In the Mixed doubles event, Sania Mirza and Canada's Daniel Nestor beat Akgul Amanmuradova and Ashley Fisher 6-3, 6-1 to enter the second round.

On Wednesday, Sania Mirza's US Open singles campaign wilted in the second round with 10th seeded Italian Flavia Pennetta routing the Indian 6-0, 6-0 in a grossly lop-sided match. Earlier, India's Leander Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy moved into the second round of the US Open men's doubles event with a win over Romanian pair of Victor Hanescue and Grabriel Trifu in first round.