Spain reach semi-finals with 14th successive win

European champions Spain moved into the Confederations Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Iraq on Wednesday.

The win gave Spain a world record-equalling 14th consecutive international victory and stretched their unbeaten run to 34 matches -- one short of the world record of 35 held by Brazil.

Forward David Villa's header which opened the scoring after 55 minutes made him Spain's second highest scorer of all time with 30 goals -- 14 behind Raul's record of 44.

Spain had to work hard for their Group A victory against the ultra-defensive Asian champions who, despite drawing their opening match against South Africa and losing this one, are still in with a chance of reaching the last four.

Spain top the group with six points followed by South Africa and Iraq on one and New Zealand with none. South Africa face New Zealand in Rustenburg in Wednesday's late match (1830 GMT).

Brazil, France and Australia are the only other countries to win 14 straight matches, according to official FIFA statistics.

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