Riding three first-half strikes, La Roja qualified for the World Cup in style!
Spain forward Rodrigo Moreno celebrates scoring the opener (Photo: AFP)
Spain powered in three first-half goals to ease to a 3-0 win over Albania to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, with a game to spare.
Coming into the clash with the Albanians, Spain were topping their group with a two-point lead over second-placed Italy and knew a win on Friday night would seal their berth.
And La Roja did just that — thanks to goals from Rodrigo Moreno, Isco and Thiago Alcantara — to ensure the home crowd at the Estadio Jose Rico Perez went back home content.
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Moreno missed a sitter early on but more than made amends with a thundering volley in the 16th minute. Receiving the ball on his chest with his back to the goal, the Valencia forward swivelled and blasted his shot past Albanian keeper Ertrit Berisha.
Isco, who provided the assist for the opener, then doubled the hosts’ lead in the 24th minute, calmly collecting Koke’s pass inside the box before unleashing a powerful shot that flew into the roof of the net.
And Thiago would make sure of the result with a thumping header barely two minutes later, arriving inside the box at the right time to convert debutant Alvaro Odriozola Arzallus’ cross from the byline.
The possession stats were heavily in La Roja’s favour and from then on Julien Lopetegui’s men were in total control and David de Gea was a virtual spectator for the remainder of the first-half.
There was one moment of concern for Spain, however, when at the stroke of the half-time, Gerard Pique was caught in possession inside the box by Eros Grezda, but the rest of the Spanish defence bailed out their teammate by cutting out the winger’s cross.
After the interval, the visitors started to make some forays into the Spain half and were unlucky not to score at least a consolation goal.
Substitue Armando Sadiku would hit the post with a thumping header with de Gea rooted to his spot. Sadiku would have another opportunity not long after when Liridon Latifi’s shot was palmed into his path by de Gea but the awkward bounce saw his volley fly over the bar, much to the relief of the home crowd.
Spain have one final qualifier remaining, an away trip to Israel on Monday night, but Lopetgui is expected to treat that as a friendly with qualification assured and is likely to give other players a chance.
Elsewhere, second-placed Italy were held to 1-1 draw with Macedonia and the Azzurri are now assured of a play-off at least. Centre-back Giorgio Chiellini opened the scoring for Italy in the 40th minute, but a late equaliser by Aleksandar Trajkovski ensured a share of the spoils.
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