Spain, back at the scene of their 2010 World Cup title triumph, suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat by South Africa in a friendly at Soccer City on Tuesday.

Vincent Del Bosque fielded a near full-strength side, with many of their winners from three years ago on show.

Bernard Parker chipped the ball over goalkeeper Victor Valdes for the only goal after 56 minutes for South Africa who missed out on qualifying for the 2014 edition in Brazil.

Shock: Spain players watch on as Bernard Parker's effort finds the back of the net for South Africa

Bad return: Even Andres Iniesta, the scorer of Spain's crucial goal in the World Cup final three years ago, couldn't inspire his team

Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune made a flying save in the final minute to deny Raul Albiol an equaliser for the world and European champions.

A crowd of around 40,000, less than half the capacity, watched a parade of the World Cup trophy by the Spanish players before kickoff.

Elsewhere, Belgium lost for the second game in succession after Keisuke Honda lead Japan to a famous 3-2 win over the European side.

Premier League stars Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and Romelu Lukaku were all in action, while Everton's Kevin Miralas scored for the home team.

 
Surprise: Marouane Fellaini (left) and Romelu Lukaku (right) failed to make an impact in Belgium's defeat

Japanese win: Yoichiro Kakitani scores the visitors' first

The Netherlands held Colombia to a 0-0 draw despite playing for nearly an hour with 10 men after Jeremain Lens was sent off.

After an entertaining first half hour, in which both sides created scoring chances, Lens was red carded in the 35th minute for pushing over Pablo Armero after a challenge in front of the Colombia goal.

Not happy: Jermaine Lens is sent-off for Netherlands (above), while Colombia's Radamel Falcao argues with the referee below

Not happy: Jermaine Lens is sent-off for Netherlands (above), while Colombia's Radamel Falcao argues with the referee below

Austria handed World Cup qualifiers the United States a controversial 1-0 friendly defeat in Vienna on Tuesday after the visitors had a goal disallowed because the referee ruled the ball had not crossed the line.

The U.S., who had won 15 or their previous 16 internationals, thought they had gone ahead in the 16th minute.

Geoff Cameron's header hit the hand of Austria forward Marko Arnautovic and was heading into the goal until it was clawed away by goalkeeper Robert Almer.

Unjust? USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann (right) was unhappy with the referee after the 1-0 defeat to Austria

Socceroo: Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill celebrates his strike against Costa Rica

Midfielder Dmitry Tarasov turned from villain to hero, making a defensive blunder then scoring the winner as Russia beat South Korea 2-1 in an entertaining friendly in Dubai, the first clash between the two countries.

Tim Cahill scored in the 69th minute to give Australia and its new coach a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in a friendly on Tuesday.