World Cup 2018 - Qualifying matches

Spain 3 – Albania 0

Spain: De Gea; Odriozola, Sergio Ramos, Piqué (Nacho 59’), Jordi Alba; Koke, Saúl Ñíguez, Thiago; David Silva (Marco Asensio 73’), Rodrigo (Aduríz 82’), Isco. 4-3-3.
Albania: Berisha; Balliu (Sadiku 46’), Hysaj, Veseli, Ajeti, Memolla (Agolli 46’); Xhaka, Kaçe, Memushaj; Grezda (Latifi 66’), Llullaku. 5-3-2.

Goals:
1-0. 16. Rodrigo. Picked up Isco pass and beat Berisha with shot on turn.
2-0. 24. Isco. Collected Koke pass and struck angled shot past keeper.
3-0. 26. Thiago. Ran in from behind to head Odriozola cross down in to net.

Yellow cards: Llullaku 14’, Xhaka 26’, Kaçe 29’, Grezda 47’, Piqué 48’, David Silva 65’, Grezda 66’, Hysaj 70’.

Spain are through to the World Cup finals after a 3-0 victory over Albania on Friday evening! Lopetegui’s side wrapped things up with three goals in the first half hour, Rodrigo celebrating his return to the national squad with the opener after Isco set him up on the quarter hour mark. Soon afterwards Isco himself made it two with an angled shot, and just two minutes later Thiago ran in to head the third from a cross by Odriozola, who was making his full international debut. Llullaku and Sadiko did head against the woodwork for the visitors, but only a string of saves by Berisha prevented Koke, Rodrigo, Asensio and others from adding to the scoreline after the restart. Italy’s draw against Macedonia meant that Spain are sure of top spot and a place in Russia next summer, but with a massive goal difference in their favour over the “Transalpinos”, they were all but mathematically there anyway.