A hat-trick by David Villa [ Images ] helped Spain to a 4-1 win over Russia [ Images ] in their Euro 2008 [ Images ] opener on Tuesday.

Villa grabbed his first when he steered the ball into an open goal after fellow striker Fernando Torres [ Images ] drew goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev out of his net in the 20th minute.

• Images from the match

He added the second before halftime, stroking the ball home after being put through by Andres Iniesta [ Images ], before making it 3-0 when he tucked in a low shot after jinking past a defender on 75 minutes.

Russia pulled a goal back through Roman Pavlyuchenko before substitute Cesc Fabregas [ Images ] headed Spain's fourth in injury time.

Spain, who beat Russia 1-0 in their opening match at Euro 2004, made a confident start to the Group D tie under stormy skies at the Tivoli Neu stadium.

They quickly settled into their patient short passing game and had a couple of early chances, Torres sending a shot skidding wide in the eighth minute and Villa scooping an effort over the bar.

Russia also threatened with Yuri Zhirkov and Pavlyuchenko proving a handful for Spain's back four.

But Spain broke the deadlock when Torres raced on to a 30-metre pass from Joan Capdevila.

The striker made the most of a lucky bounce as he tried to beat Denis Kolodin before setting up Villa.

Russia almost equalised two minutes later when Konstantin Zyryanov fired a shot against the post.

Torres had a couple of half chances to extend Spain's lead but it was live-wire Villa who went on to steal the spotlight.