Spain wrecked Ukraine's World Cup debut on Wednesday, trouncing them 4-0 with two goals in each half with the Eastern European side finishing with 10 men.

Xabi Alonso put Spain in front with his first goal for Spain in the 13th minute and David Villa added a second four minutes later with a 20-metre free kick.

Ukraine's hopes collapsed in the 47th minute when Vladislav Vashchyuk was sent off for tugging Fernando Torres's shorts.

Villa scored the third with the resulting penalty, the first of the tournament, and Torres completed the rout with the fourth in the 81st minute.

Spain took their run to 23 matches without defeat since Luis Aragones became coach after Euro 2004.

Although it is too early to consider them potential champions, Spain played sparkling football in defence, midfield and attack and could easily have added more goals.

In contrast, Andriy Shevchenko, the 2004 Footballer of the Year who has been signed by Chelsea from AC Milan for almost STG30 million ($A75 million), hardly had a meaningful touch.

Spain went ahead after 13 minutes, Alonso bravely getting his head to the ball from Xavi's left-wing corner.

Four minutes later, the lead was doubled when Villa's free kick took a deflection off Andriy Rusol to leave goalkeeper Oleksander Shovkovsky nowhere.

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin attempted to pep up his side by bringing on Andriy Vorobei and Oleg Shelayev at halftime but his plans were wrecked within 90 seconds of the restart when Vashchuck was harshly shown the red card for hauling back Torres.

Villa made no mistake from the resulting penalty although Shovkovsky got a hand on the ball.

Torres sealed victory with a blistering volley on the run with nine minutes to play.

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