Spain ran out 2-0 winners over the Republic of Ireland at the Yankee Stadium in New York this evening.

Second-half strikes from Roberto Soldado and Juan Mata were enough to give Vicente del Bosque's side the win ahead of their involvement in the Confederations Cup in Brazil later this month.

As the game started slowly in the Bronx, it was Giovanni Trapattoni's side who offered the first attempt at goal after 13 minutes, but Andy Keogh's acrobatic effort never really troubled Victor Valdes in the Spanish goal.

Connor Sammon then carved out a decent half-chance for the Irish just before the half-hour mark when he robbed Carles Puyol of possession before curling an effort just wide of goal.

However, it was Spain who had the best chance of the first half, three minutes before the break, when Xavi slipped in his Barcelona teammate Pedro who moved inside two defenders before rattling the crossbar with a well-struck effort.

After the break, La Roja rarely threatened the Irish goal although Gerard Pique came closest with a long-range effort just after the hour mark.

Del Bosque sent on Soldado in place of the largely ineffectual David Villa on 61 minutes and the Valencia striker didn't take long to make his mark.

The forward showed his predatory instincts by reacting first to a ricochet in the area before firing home beyond Ireland stopper David Forde, less than 10 minutes after coming on.

The Republic thought that they had secured a late equaliser when Sean St Ledger turned the ball home following a goalmouth scramble, but the defender's effort was ruled out for offside with eight minutes left.

Two minutes before full time, Chelsea playmaker Mata played a one-two with Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla before smashing his effort past substitute keeper Darren Randolph.