Luis Enrique takes on Amir Karic (Allsport).

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Gwangju

Spain's two golden boys scored the key goals that helped their nation bury the demons of their World Cup past.

Raul pounced in the first half to grab a real poacher's goal and then with 15 minutes left Juan Valeron repaid all the faith shown him by coach Jose Comacho with an excellent second.

And when skipper Fernando Hierro grabbed a late penalty - admittedly having been spared conceding one seconds earlier - Spain got their deserved victory.

With South Africa scoring a late equaliser in Group B through Manchester United's Quinton Fortune to force a draw against Paraguay, Spain now lead the section and are clear favourites to go through to the next stage.

Spain's World Cup record in finals is woeful and they had not won an opening game in the tournament for 52 years until now.

The Slovenians were making their debut in the finals and set out to frustrate Spain with three tough defenders at the back and sometimes six strung across midfield.

One day short of the 10th anniversary of their birth as a football nation, this was a big occasion for the World Cup newboys who have never been too bothered about reputations.

And they showed that in the third minute by almost taking the lead. Zlatko Zahovic's corner was met by Dzoni Novak's flicked header which was instinctively palmed away by Iker Casillas, only for Aleksander Knavs to power the rebound over the bar.

There was plenty of early purpose about the Slovenians. Mladen Rudonja, freed by Portsmouth after a nightmare two seasons, attacked Barcelona's Carles Puyol down the left while the elusive Zahovic found space to play incisive passes.

But Spain slowly got into their game with Juan Valeron driving from midfield.

Twice Real Sociedad's Javi De Pedro had free-kick chances to put Spain ahead, but both were inches wide of the mark.

But Slovenia hit back and produced another fine save from Real Madrid's youngster Casillas. Rudonja broke away and fed Zahovic, who saw a rising 20 yarder tipped over. From the corner, Zelijko Milinovic rose to power a header just over the top.

Spain struggled to achieve any real control but they should have scored after a fine passing move involving Enrique.

The cross came in from the left from De Pedro and Raul - six yards out and unmarked - could only managed a poorly-directed header that made Marko Simeunovic's save easy.

Annoyance was creeping into the Spanish camp and Tristan was booked on 41 minutes for a trip on Milan Osterc, and a couple of minutes later Amir Karic was also cautioned for a trip on Enrique.

Separating the bookings was Spain's opening goal. Enrique went on a determined run into the box, forcing his way past two tackles. The ball broke free and there was Raul to sidestep his way into a shooting position, drilling the ball low to Simeunovic's left hand.

Spain really went for it in the early stages of the second half, looking to kill off the game.

Valeron's skill and determination gave Tristan a half chance with a superb through ball, and then Raul volleyed into the side netting from Garcia Juanfran's cross.

Tristan again, cutting in from the left, forced Simeunovic to beat the shot away.

Fernando Morientes came on for Tristan as Spain turned up the pressure, the Real Madrid man and De Pedro both seeing efforts blocked by Simeunovic.

Slovenia's own striking substitute, Seb Cimirotic was booked for diving in the box and had another effort deflected inches over.

But Slovenia were having their work cut out keeping Spain out and when Valeron scored his first international goal with 15 minutes left, it was all over.

De Pedro again was the creator from the left, this time with an angled ball that Valeron confidently fired back across the keeper and into the far corner.

With eight minutes left Slovenia gave themselves hope when Cimirotic played a neat one-two and rolled the ball home.

Slovenia then attacked and Hierro touched Milenko Acimovic in the box but Moroccan referee Mohamed Guezzaz refused to give Slovenia a penalty that could have put them level.

Slovenia however did not really deserve a point and when Morientes was clipped in the box by substitute Sasa Gajser, this time the official was convinced and Hierro stepped up to settle the issue.

Teams

Spain: Casillas, Juanfran (Romero 83), Puyol, Hierro, Nadal, Baraja, Luis Enrique (Helguera 74), De Pedro, Valeron, Raul, Tristan (Morientes 67).

Subs Not Used: Albelda, Contreras, Curro Torres, Joaquin, Luque, Mendieta, Ricardo, Sergio, Xavi.

Booked: Valeron.

Goals: Raul 44, Valeron 74, Hierro 88 pen.

Slovenia: Simeunovic, Milinovic, Galic, Knavs, Novak (Gajser 77), Ales Ceh, Karic, Zahovic (Acimovic 63), Pavlin, Osterc (Cimirotic 57), Rudonja.

Subs Not Used: Bulajic, Nastja Ceh, Dabanovic, Nemec, Pavlovic, Sankovic, Tavcar, Tiganj, Vugdalic.

Booked: Karic, Cimirotic.

Goals: Cimirotic 82.

Att: 40,000

Ref: M Guezzaz (Morocco).