Spain's midfielder Isco celebrates a goal during the World Cup 2018 qualifier football match between Spain and Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 2, 2017. PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP
Spain took a giant step towards qualifying for next year’s World Cup as Isco’s double and Alvaro Morata’s late strike swept aside Italy 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu at the weekend.
Isco was the star performer in a brilliant team display from the hosts as his early free-kick and long-range effort before halftime put Spain in control before Morata came off the bench to rub salt in Italian wounds.
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Italy’s first defeat in a qualifier since 2006 means Spain now lead Group G of European qualifying by three points with just three games remaining and can also count on a far superior goal difference.
The Azzurri are now likely to face a tricky two-legged playoff in November to book their place in Russia. Spain boss Julen Lopetegui opted to start without a recognised striker as Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio made his first competitive international start as one of six midfielders.
Asensio has made a habit of scoring on his debuts for Real and was heavily involved in the opener, although it was his club teammate Isco who provided the killer touch on 14 minutes.
Leonardo Bonucci was lucky only to see a yellow card for chopping down Asensio on the edge of the area. Isco scooped the resulting free-kick over the Italian wall and beyond legendary keeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was slow to react.
In stark contrast to when Italy dumped Spain out of Euro 2016 little over a year ago with a comprehensive 2-0 last-16 win, the visitors were thoroughly outplayed in the first 45 minutes.
Source: G Sport
