By The Associated Press
Saudi Arabia 2, Tunisia 2
MUNICH, Germany —; With a sudden burst, Saudi Arabia was on the verge of erasing recent World Cup embarrassment. Then Tunisia spoiled the Saudi’s celebrations in the final seconds Wednesday.
Radhi Jaidi’s powerful header in injury time gave Tunisia a 2-2 tie with Saudi Arabia in the only all-Arab match of the tournament. Just a few minutes earlier, in the 84th, Sami al-Jaber gave the Saudis a lead.
Al-Jaber, who retired from the national team, then was brought back for qualifying, had entered the game moments before. He has played in four World Cups and now has scored in three after finishing off a 2-on-1 break.
But Tunisia pressed for the tie and got it on Jaidi’s header from 6 yards off a feed from the end line by Ziad Jaziri, who scored earlier.
Spain 4, Ukraine 0
LEIPZIG, Germany —; If Spain wants to lose its reputation as a World Cup underachiever, it’s off to a powerful start.
Spain routed struggling newcomer Ukraine 4-0 Wednesday, a sizzling start in search of a title after 11 futile, often disheartening attempts. David Villa scored twice and Fernando Torres capped the romp with a sensational goal off a series of passes.
As famous for its international flops as the finesse and flair of its game, Spain appears on the right track this time. It is on a 23-match unbeaten streak, all under coach Luis Aragones —; a nice change for the nation whose checkered international soccer history has been one of perpetual disappointment.
While the Spaniards are making their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, they have failed to reach the semifinals since posting their best result, a fourth-place finish in 1950.
