Belgium vs. Spain: Score and Reaction from 2016 International Friendly

David Silva scored a brace as Spain made new manager Julen Lopetegui a winner in his first match in charge with a 2-0 away triumph over Belgium at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

La Roja were the more impressive side for a vast majority of the match. Even though the team continues to make a transition to a new era of Spanish football, the trademark possession-based approach with effortless passing sequences remained on full display in the victory.

The match also marked the Belgian head coaching debut for Roberto Martinez, who previously managed Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton. He represented a surprise selection when the country's Football Association chose him to replace Marc Wilmots after an underwhelming Euro 2016 result.

Martinez, a 43-year-old native Spaniard, took over the immensely talented Red Devils squad last month. He expressed optimism about what the side can accomplish but admitted the amount of pressure placed on the players during Belgium's rise may have factored in past disappointments, per BBC Sport:

"

I've been working with Belgian players and I've been intrigued by Belgian football, the talent of the Belgium players is there to be seen. We will always work to be on the ball and be an attacking team, but you have to be able to defend. We want to play attractive football but we have to win.

Sometimes there seemed too much pressure, carrying the hopes of the country, and we're all responsible for that.

"

Although Martinez may have lofty goals about what the Belgian attack can accomplish, the group got off to a sluggish start in his debut. Neither Belgium nor Spain were able to generate much pressure in the opening half hour as they combined for just two shots and none on target.

John Chapman of ESPNFC noted the lack of chances wasn't due to a lack of effort from Belgium, though:

Spain suffered a setback inside the first 30 minutes as forward Alvaro Morata was forced to make an early exit due to an apparent injury. He was replaced by Diego Costa.

La Liga Daily provided further details:

"

Morata off injured after a collision with Witsel. #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/VE3bctJLpM

— La Liga Daily (@LaLigaDaily) September 1, 2016"

Silva still managed to get La Roja on the scoreboard first. Some shoddy defending by the Belgian back line turned what looked like an innocent foray into the attacking third by Spain into a wild scramble, which Silva completed by blasting a low shot by Thibaut Courtois.

Aldo Sainati of Marca remarked on Silva's play since getting to work with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after his 34th-minute strike:

The 30-year-old midfielder increased the lead shortly after the hour mark from the penalty spot. Jordan Lukaku, who had a forgettable performance at left-back, was called for a foul in the box and Silva made no mistake with a calm finish to beat Courtois, who guessed the wrong way.

AS English spotlighted the veteran's continued efforts to cement his legacy at the international level:

Belgium tried to pick up the pace over the final 25 minutes in search of a comeback, but Spain held firm at the back to preserve the clean sheet. All told, it was probably La Roja's most complete performance of the year, albeit in a friendly.

Looking ahead, both sides begin qualifying for the 2018 World Cup next week. Spain open with what should be a blowout win over Liechtenstein on Monday. The next serious test for the squad should come in October when they visit Italy for a high-profile qualifier.

Belgium also start qualifying with what should be a three-point result against Cyprus on Tuesday. Martinez will be looking to utilize that match to build confidence among his attacking group, which found minimal success against Spain's back line.