European champions Spain set a new winning record on Saturday by defeating South Africa 2-0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup in the central South African city of Bloemfontein. The victory improved Spain's winning run to 15, breaking the previous record of 14 shared by Australia from 1996 to 1997, Brazil in 1997 and France from 2003 to 2004.

Spain also equaled the world record of 35 games unbeaten established by Brazil between 1993 and 1996.

Both sides, however, have been qualified for the semifinals of the intercontinental tournament, as Asian champions Iraq and its Oceanian counterpart New Zealand came to a scoreless draw in South Africa's economic hub of Johannesburg on Saturday, crushing the hope of the Lions of Mesopotamia to march into the second stage.

Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque reacts during the Confederations Cup soccer match against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein June 20, 2009.

David Villa offered Spain the lead in the 52nd minute as he took a high cross on the chest and hit it into the bottom right corner. Twenty minutes later, the pride of Spaniards was whipped up again as substitute Fernando Llorente fired inside the near post. Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque said he was happy with the way things had gone and they had an excellent team.

"Winning 15 matches in a row is a huge success by this team and we want to go on like this," Del Bosque added.

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