LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) - If Spain wants to lose its reputation as a World Cup underachiever, it's off to a powerful start.\n \n 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.

Spain dominated from the start to the final whistle, accumulating 19 shots to Ukraine's five.

Xabi Alonso opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a header past Oleksandr Shovkovskyi off a corner kick by Xavi.

Villa made it 2-0 just four minutes later, deflecting the ball off the Ukrainian wall on a free kick after a late challenge by Andriy Rusol on Torres that drew a yellow card for Rusol.

Villa scored again just two minutes into the second half on a penalty kick after being brought down by Vladyslav Vashchyuk, who was ejected for pulling his opponent's shirt and tripping him.

"It was a spectacular start ... two goals and the three points with a good game," Villa said.

Down to 10 men, Ukraine had no chance of a comeback, and Torres connected with a powerful right-footer in the 81st minute.

Carlos Puyol intercepted a pass at midfield, beat a defender with a spin and dragback, then passed to Torres. He sent the ball to Raul Gonzalez, who put it back to Puyol on the edge of the area. Puyol headed it into the path of Torres, who had continued running and hit the ball to the keeper's right side from 16 yards.

Ukraine star Andriy Shevchenko, expected to parade his goal-scoring talent on the world's biggest soccer stage, had little effect on the match. Coach Oleh Blokhin had hesitated to start his prize player, who was returning from a nagging knee injury sustained in May.

Spain's last World Cup defeat in regulation came in its opening match of 1998 against Nigeria. Since then, the Spaniards have won four and tied three matches, but were eliminated by South Korea on penalty kicks after their 2002 quarterfinal finished 0-0.

Ukraine is the only European country making its debut. The team was the first in Europe to qualify for the event and was unbeaten in five friendly matches this year.