Luis Garcia scored a hat-trick as Spain all but booked their place in the World Cup finals with a 5-1 win over 10-man Slovakia in the first leg of their play-off in Madrid.

The Liverpool forward scored after nine, 17 and 74 minutes and also won a 64th-minute penalty - converted by Fernando Torres - before Fernando Morientes wrapped the scoring up late on.

Slovakia had pulled back to 2-1 with Szilard Nemeth's goal early in the second half when a controversial penalty award and the dismissal of Marian Had steadied Spanish nerves.

Spain coach Aragones reverted to his preferred 4-4-2 formation with Garcia on the right and Jose Antonio Reyes on the left.

He also brought Atletico Madrid defender Pablo Ibanez into the side, while Fernando Torres, who had scored five goals in Spain's last two games, again partnered Raul in attack.

Meanwhile, Slovakia coach Dusan Galis started with Ivan Hodor, Peter Hlinka and Miroslav Karhan in central midfield, looking for Filip Holosko to provide the inspiration and provide the passes for lone striker Robert Vittek.

Spain took control early on in front of 55,000 fans in the Vicente Calderon and Xavi Hernandez curled a free-kick into the side-netting after two minutes.

Asier del Horno sent two dangerous crosses over and Slovakia keeper Kamil Contofalsky almost gifted Torres a goal after five minutes.

Spain finally made their dominance count as Luis Garcia scored twice in eight minutes.

The Liverpool forward opened the scoring on nine minutes with a powerful header from Xavi's corner.

And the pair combined again after 17 minutes when Garcia timed his run into the area to collect Xavi's smart through ball before clipping the ball over Contofalsky to send the crowd wild.

And, to make matters worse for the visitors, referee Massimo de Santis sent Slovak coach Galis from the bench before the restart after he furiously complained the goal should have been disallowed for offside.

Spain were in total control and Raul saw two shots saved, while Torres skimmed the crossbar after 30 minutes, before Garcia another 'goal' chance ruled out for offside.

Reyes skimmed the bar with a free-kick with the last touch of the half to emphasise Spain's dominance.

Galis replaced Holosko with Nemeth after the break and was instantly rewarded when the Middlesbrough striker intercepted a backpass, strode into the area and fired a left-foot shot past Iker Casillas.

It was Slovakia's first decent effort of the match and, for all their control, Spain suddenly found themselves with work to do to have a decent cushion in Bratislava on Wednesday.

Aragones responded by bringing on Vicente Rodriguez for the ineffective Reyes.

Spain were handed a lifeline after 64 minutes when Had was adjudged to have handled a cross-shot from Garcia and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

And, to make matters worse for the Slovaks, he then sent Had off for his second yellow card and Torres rifled home the penalty to make it 3-1.

Garcia finished off a night he will never forget with 16 minutes remaining slipping the ball home from close range from Vicente's low cross.

Garcia was replaced by Morientes and his Liverpool team-mate made it 5-1 with a header from another Vicente cross.

Teams:

Spain Casillas, Salgado, Del Horno, Puyol, Pablo, Albelda (Alonso 66), Xavi, Luis Garcia (Morientes 76), Torres, Reyes (Vicente 56), Raul.

Subs Not Used: Reina, Sergio, Juanito, Villa.

Booked: Albelda.

Goals: Luis Garcia 10, 18, Torres 65 pen, Luis Garcia 74, Morientes 79.

Slovakia Contofalsky, Petras, Skrtel, Kratochvil, Had, Zabavnik, Karhan (Janocko 73), Hlinka, Hodur (Gresko 67), Holosko (Nemeth 46), Vittek.

Subs Not Used: Kelemen, Durica, Varga, Krajcik.

Sent Off: Had (64).

Booked: Had, Karhan, Hlinka, Skrtel.

Goals: Nemeth 49.

Att: 55,000

Ref: Massimo De Santis (Italy).