Spain capped off a second consecutive 100% record in the Confederations Cup group stage with a commanding 3-0 win over Nigeria on Sunday night at Estadio Castelão in Fortaleza.

A goal in each half from Jordi Alba and a second half header from Fernando Torres was all La Roja needed to fend off a very game Super Eagles side. Nigeria proved to be the toughest foe Spain saw in the group stage, even though the African champions were unable to find the back of the net

Spanish head coach Vicente Del Bosque reverted back to the starting XI that was fielded in the first match against Uruguay, with the lone exception of Victor Valdés in goal and not Iker Casillas. Del Bosque had mentioned earlier in the week that Valdés was assured of starting against the African champions. Sergio Ramos became the only Spanish player to start all three group stage matches as he was joined alongside by Jordi Alba, Gerard Piqué and Álvaro Arbeloa in defense.

Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Xavi rounded out the midfield while Roberto Soldado returned as the central striker with Cesc Fabregas out wide to his left and Pedro to Soldado’s right.

Spain opened the scoring early with a goal in just the third minute of play. Jordi Alba gathered in a pass from Iniesta and wove his way through a hesitant Nigeria defense before firing past Vincent Enyeama.

But unlike Thursday’s easy win over Tahiti, Nigeria wreaked a good deal of havoc in the Spanish area, creating several chances including an eighth minute John Obi Mikel shot that sailed over the crossbar and a 28th minute header from Joseph Akpala that required a solid save out of Valdes.

Spain squandered some chances themselves, including a 30th minute opportunity for Soldado that ended with the Valencia man firing right into the body of Enyeama. Another chance for La Roja came nine minutes later when Soldado played an inch-perfect cross to Fabregas. The Catalan then hit the ball with his left foot only to see it strike the post and deflect into the lap of the sprawled out Enyeama.

However, shortly after the hour mark the reigning World and European champions gave themselves some breathing room with a goal courtesy of Fernando Torres. The Chelsea striker had come on just one minute prior for Soldado and on his first touch of the game he headed in a cross from Pedro to make it 2-0. Torres was marked by two Nigerian defenders but did well to cut in front of them and smack the header past Enyeama adding to his Confederations Cup goal total which now sits at five.

Nigeria had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back in the 74th minute when they executed a perfect counter attack with Ahmed Musa finding Mohammed Gambo only to see Gambo’s first touch fail him and his weak effort floated wide past the far post.

Alba capped off the proceedings when he beat the offside trap and found himself all alone against Enyeama. The Barcelona defender rounded the Nigerian keeper and slotted home into an open net to finish off the scoring.

With the win, Spain complete yet another perfect record in the Confederations Cup group stage. La Roja won all three matches during the 2009 tournament only to be upset by the United States in the semifinal. Del Bosque’s side will meet Italy in what will be a rematch of last summer’s Euro 2012 final. The winner of Thursday’s contest in Fortaleza will advance to Sunday’s final and face the victor of Wednesday’s Uruguay-Brazil semifinal.