Luis Aragones's side are now unbeaten in 21 games though they have yet to produce a really impressive performance and few players excelled in either last week's 0-0 draw against Russia or the Egypt match.

Raul, whose position in the team has come under question in recent months, did score his first goal for club and country since last October when he poked home a rebound in the 14th minute but the Real Madrid forward did little else of note.

Strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres continued to struggle in front of goal although when Jose Antonio Reyes came on in the second half the side looked far more incisive.

The Arsenal forward extended Spain's lead with a beautifully struck free kick just before the hour mark and strengthened his claim for a place in the starting lineup.

"It's difficult to get into the team," Reyes told reporters after the game. "At the moment I'm starting on the bench but I'm doing all I can to earn a place when I get out on the pitch.

"I'm not going to settle for being 12th man and I'll be fighting hard to get in the side."

Midfielders Cesc Fabregas, Marcos Senna and David Albelda were solid but did little to trouble a well-organised Egypt defence and the team looked more dangerous when Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso came on after the break.

At the back Sergio Ramos, who played in central defence for Real Madrid last season, continued to look uncomfortable on the right and was frequently caught out of position while left back Antonio Lopez was vulnerable on the break.

"We are improving," said coach Luis Aragones. "But I'm not completely happy because we still have to refine some aspects of our play. We gave the ball away too easily and gifted them several chances from which they could have scored."

The 67-year-old suggested he would favour a more conservative approach when the tournament starts.

"Sometimes we try playing too much and that could cost us dear in the World Cup," he said. "If we find ourselves 1-0 up we need to tighten up and play on the break.

"We are going to try and win this World Cup but we know that historically we have done nothing in this tournament."

Spain play their final warm-up game against fellow World Cup qualifiers Croatia in Geneva on Wednesday. They open their campaign against Ukraine in Leipzig on June 14 and face Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in their remaining games in Group H.