Juanito's first-half header gave Spain a narrow victory against Saudi Arabia in Kaiserslautern.

The Real Betis defender latched onto Jose Antonio Reyes' free-kick to give his side a 36th-minute lead and a triumph that sees them finish top of Group H.

With Spain having already earned a place in the second round of the World Cup after convincing triumphs against Ukraine and Tunisia, coach Luis Aragones opted to rest his starting XI from their last group game and play with a reserve side.

Spain looked by far the more incisive team against the Saudis, who needed a triumph to have any hope of advancing.

But they wasted a host of chances to capitalise on their dominance and when they did find the target they were denied by Saudi goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid.

The Spaniards survived several late scares to hold onto their third straight victory of the tournament.

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas directed matters in midfield, supporting club team-mate Reyes and captain Raul up front.

Saudi Arabia coach Marcos Paqueta made three changes to the team that were thrashed 4-0 by Ukraine, with Sami Al Jaber and Saad Al Harthi leading the attack.

Paqueta's men were forced to defend from the off, with Spain looking to kill the game early on. Raul should have given his team an early lead but his header from Antonio Lopez's dangerous cross went wide.

The Saudis lacked incisive cutting edge to break down Spain's well-placed defence and were making too many unforced errors that only favoured their rivals.

With 16 minutes played, Joaquin's powerful strike from the edge of the area went high over the crossbar.

Seconds later, the Betis winger served Reyes at the far post, who dribbled past his marker, fired on target only for his effort to be saved by Zaid.

Midway though the first-half, Reyes tried his luck from the distance and his effort fizzed wide, as Spain got closer.

The Saudis struggled to find their stride and shortly before the half-hour mark, David Albelda and Joaquin warmed the hands of Zaid with two stinging drives which goalkeeper did well to palm over.

Raul almost caught Zaid off guard with his 30-yard lob going high over the crossbar, much to the relief of the Saudi supporters at the Fritz-Walter Stadion.

Reyes was booked for a late challenge on Sami Al Jaber but he was immediately forgiven as he acted as provider for Spain to take the lead. His curled free-kick found Juanito inside the box whose powerful header beat Zaid.

Mohammed Noor should have equalised seconds later, but his weak strike proved an easy catch for goalkeeper Santiago Canizares, in what was his first save of the afternoon.

Spain could have gone into the break with a 4-0 advantage but Zaid stood strong to twice deny Reyes and then Fabregas' close-range efforts.

Aragones made his first substitution after the re-start with striker David Villa replacing Raul.

Spain continued to miss clear-cut chances, with Andres Iniesta and Reyes failing to find the target from close-range.

In the 53rd minute, Zaid was forced to clear Lopez's right-footed effort.

Canizares was tested by Hussein Sulimani's powerful central strike as the Saudis looked more lively.

At the other end, Joaquin fired wide and was later denied this time by the impressive Zaid.

Shortly after the hour mark, Xavi and Fernando Torres entered the pitch replacing Fabregas and Reyes.

Sulimani should have equalised in the 68th minute but his angled strike went inches wide of Canizares' near post.

With 10 minutes remaining, Sulimani's free-kick went high over the crossbar and substitute Mohammed Massad almost stunned Canizares with his effort towards the near post forcing the keeper to make a fine save.

The Saudis twice had the chance to equalise, with Al Harthi's close-range effort finding the stands and Nawaf Al Temyat's angled strike going inches wide of the far post.

Time ran out for the Saudis as they crashed out of the tournament.

Teams:

Saudi Arabia Zaid, Dokhi, Tukar, Al Montashari, Khathran,Sulimani (Massad 81), Noor, Khariri, Aziz (Al Temyat 13),Al Jaber (Mouath 68), Al Harthi.

Subs Not Used: Al Anbar, Al Bahri, Al Daeyea, Al Qadi, Ameen, Khojah.

Booked: Al Jaber, Al Temyat.

Spain Canizares, Salgado, Marchena, Antonio Lopez, Juanito,Albelda, Reyes (Torres 69), Iniesta, Joaquin,Fabregas (Xavi 66), Raul (Villa 45).

Subs Not Used: Casillas, Pernia, Puyol, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Senna, Pablo, Reina.

Booked: Albelda, Reyes, Marchena.

Goals: Juanito 36.

Att: 46,000

Ref: Coffi Codjia (Benin).