David Silva scored twice as Julen Lopetegui's tenure as Spain boss began with a 2-0 victory over Roberto Martinez's Belgium side in Thursday night's international friendly in Brussels.

In what was a big night for both managers, who were making their international debuts, it was Manchester City attacker Silva that inspired Spain to a comfortable victory over an underwhelming Belgium outfit.

It was Belgium that had the game's first half-chance inside six minutes, but Axel Witsel could only place his effort wide of the post after David de Gea's loose clearance from a Eden Hazard cross had found the midfielder outside the Spain box.

Down the other end, Bayern Munich's Thiago should have done better with a volley in the 20th minute, but the score remained all square as both Martinez and Lopetegui patrolled the touchline assessing their new teams.

There was a blow for Spain in the 26th minute when Alvaro Morata, whose direct running and power had caused Belgium problems early on, had to leave the field with a thigh problem, and it was Diego Costa that was given the chance to improve on what has been a very average international career to date.

Vitolo was a surprise inclusion in the Spain XI, but the Sevilla midfielder set up the opening goal of the match in the 34th minute when he rounded Thibaut Courtois in a wide position before delivering into the Belgium box, where Silva was on hand to find the back of the net past Jan Vertonghen.

The goal had been coming and it was Spain that ended the first 45 minutes on the front foot as they continued to find space behind the two full-backs, while Belgium's only chance of note in the first period saw Witsel miss the post from distance.

Spain had a golden chance to take a 2-0 lead barely three minutes into the second half when Gerard Pique met a free kick from Koke, but Courtois somehow denied the Barcelona centre-back with a point-blank save.

Costa continued to cause Belgium problems and the Chelsea forward should have sent Spain into a two-goal lead when he broke through just before the hour, but Courtois was on hand to deny his club teammate just a second international goal.

Eventually Spain did double their lead in the 62nd minute when Silva converted from the penalty spot after Jordan Lukaku had brought Vitolo to the ground with a clumsy challenge inside the Belgium box.

Both managers made changes in the minutes that followed, but the pattern of the match did not change as Spain continued to look the most likely to add to the scoring during what was a strong performance.

Belgium did have a late chance to register a consolation when Kevin De Bruyne, who alongside Hazard had a very quiet night in Brussels, struck one from distance, but De Gea was on hand to make a smart save.

Belgium will open their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign with a trip to Cyprus on Tuesday night, while Spain open their own campaign at home to Liechtenstein on Monday.