Spain clinches spot in elimination play

BERLIN -- Spain may be about to shake off its tag as World Cup underachiever.

A perennial disappointment in the tournament, Spain trailed Tunisia for much of Monday's game before scoring three late goals for a 3-1 win and a place in the second round.

Switzerland and Ukraine each won to move a step closer to qualifying from their first-round groups. Switzerland beat Togo 2-0, while Ukraine trounced Saudi Arabia 4-0.

Spain trailed after an eighth-minute goal by Tunisia's Jahwar Menari and appeared set for a surprising loss before a 71st-minute equalizer by Raul Gonzalez and two goals from Fernando Torres.

Torres leads the tournament with three goals.

Having beaten Ukraine 4-0 in its opener, Spain has six points in Group H and is the eighth team to reach the second round.

-- AP