Spain's team celebrate the goal during the first match of World Cup 2006 Group H against Ukraine at Leipzig stadium, Germany, June 14, 2006. Spain beat Ukraine 4-0. -Xinhua

World Cup newcomers Ukraine ended their debut in a 4-0 thrashing by Spain in the unrelenting heat of Leipzig on Wednesday afternoon.

"If we show what we can do I know we can be among the top teams at this tournament," said the Spain coach Luis Aragones.

"At first I thought it was going to be more complicated but the second goal made Ukraine more crestfallen and the rest was easier," he said.

Spain produced a brilliant display to outclass the Ukraine side that played most of the second half with 10 men.

Xabi Alonso headed Spain in front from a Xavi corner only 13 minutes into the game and David Villa doubled the lead with a free-kick that deflected past Olexandr Shovkovskiy in the 17th.

Ukraine's defender Vladislav Vashchuk was sent off for pulling back Fernando Torres and Villa added a third goal from the penalty in the 48th.

Spain saved their best for last when Fernando Torres finished off a sublime move by drilling home in the 81st minute.

Two-goal hero Villa was confident his side could do well in the game.

"I am very pleased with the goals and in particular the win," Villa told reporters.

"We hope it will be the first step in a good World Cup for Spain. We gave our all, the fans have enjoyed themselves," he added.

Defender Carlos Puyol said that it was a dream start for Spain.

"We predicted that it would be a tough match. But things went smoothly. I know we were well prepared."

Puyol played very well not only in defense but also in attacking today. He said, "I tried my best today and I am satisfied with my performance today."

Spain's forward Luis Carcia said that the weather was too hot today but the whole team did a good job.

It was a harsh welcome to the finals for World Cup new boys Ukraine who struggled as the temperatures again hit the 30 degrees mark as the German heat-wave continued.

Ukraine had actually gone close before the game disappeared from their reach, with defender Vladimir Yezerskiy heading a free-kick from Ruslan Rotan only just past the frame of the goal in the 5th minute.

But after Alonso's goal, it was very hard for the Ukranians to stop the Spaniards' waves of attacks.

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin had already voiced his disapproval at having to play in temperatures of more than 32 degrees and it was clear the unrelenting heat favoured Spain.

After the match, the Ukraine coach questioned his team's attitude.

"My players did not play at the same level they have been playing in training," Blokhin said.

"It is a shame, not only did we lose, we simply did not even put up a fight.

"Once you've seen a red card it's very difficult to make it up in this heat, especially against such a strong opponent. We couldn't beat the heat."

"We still have two matches ahead. The important thing now is to get the team back in shape for the matches against Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

"All is not lost yet, there's still a long way to go," Blokhim noted.

Andriy Shevchenko had surprised no-one when he declared himself fit to lead out his nation, having played just 30 minutes of football since suffering a knee injury a month ago.

The Ukraine defence was opened up straight away after the red card. But they were trying hard to score a consolation goal.

Voronin came close to a spectacular consolation when his dipping effort beat Iker Casillas but dropped the wrong side of the far post and Blokhin made his final change in the 64th minute when ex-Tottenham and West Ham striker Sergei Rebrov replaced Rotan.

Senna found the net from 20 yards but it was disallowed because Sergio Ramos had clattered into Yezerskiy, who had earlier been booked for a foul on Torres, from a corner.

Rebrov should have pulled one back with less than 20 minutes remaining but blasted a great chance over from just 10 yards out.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was given the final 13 minutes, replacing Liverpool's Luis Garcia, before Torres compounded Ukraine's misery with an excellent fourth in the 81st minute.

His rasping drive was powerfully struck and gave Shovkovskiy little chance but the goal was made all the more sweeter by Puyol's involvement in the build up.

First the defender rushed in to win the ball, got the better of a challenger with some nifty footwork and then, having cantered up-field having laid the ball off, was able to cushion a header into Torres' path so the coup de grace could be applied.

Voronin must have felt a late consolation was finally his after Casillas came out of his area and failed to connect but Pablo Ibanez intervened before an empty net could be located.