Soccer - Alcacer double helps Spain ease to 4-1 win over Wales

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Spain's Marc Bartra celebrates with team mates after scoring their fourth goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

CARDIFF (Reuters) - Spain continued their sparkling start to life under Luis Enrique with a 4-1 win away to Wales in a friendly on Thursday helped by two goals from Paco Alcacer as they earned a third straight win since their former Barcelona manager took charge.

Alcacer continued his rampant form by smashing the ball into the top corner in the eighth minute at the Principality Stadium, scoring for the fifth game in a row after netting seven times in his last four outings for Borussia Dortmund.

Spain captain Sergio Ramos doubled the lead with a header from Suso's freekick in the 19th and striker Alcacer volleyed his second after a defensive mix-up before the half-hour mark.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Wales' Wayne Hennessey looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Defender Marc Bartra, who like Alcacer played under Enrique at Barca, got his first international goal with a header from a corner in the 74th, Spain's 12th strike under the new coach after beating Croatia 6-0 and England 2-1 in the Nations League.

Wales striker Sam Vokes got a consolation for Ryan Giggs' side in the 89th, heading a David Brooks cross beyond goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who replaced David de Gea in the second half.

Wales were without injured Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, although he watched from the stands and was honoured on the pitch at halftime for becoming his country's record scorer last March when he overtook Ian Rush's tally of 28 goals.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Spain's Marc Bartra celebrates scoring their fourth goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

The home side's injury problems worsened when teenager Ethan Ampadu was forced off early in the second half.

Both sides are in Nations League action next week with Spain hosting England on Monday and Wales visiting Ireland on Tuesday.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Wales' James Chester applauds their fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Wales' Wayne Hennessey looks on as Spain's Marc Bartra scores their fourth goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Wales manager Ryan Giggs and Ben Davies after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Wales' Aaron Ramsey looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Wales' Sam Vokes celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Spain's Paco Alcacer scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Spain - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 11, 2018 Wales manager Ryan Giggs during the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge