Soccer: Spain books its ticket to Russia after clinching top spot in its group

MADRID— Spain easily defeated Albania 3-0 to secure a World Cup berth as outspoken defender Gerard Pique received a mixed reaction from home fans every time he touched the ball on Friday.

Rodrigo, Isco, and Thiago Alcantara scored first-half goals to give Spain an insurmountable five-point lead over Italy with one round to go in Group G of European qualifying.

Italy’s chance of winning the group ended with in a 1-1 draw against Macedonia in Turin, a result that secured second place for the Italians.

Israel won at Liechtenstein 1-0 in the other group match.

Spain will be making its 11th consecutive World Cup appearance.

GROUP D

Serbia failed to clinch a World Cup berth in Vienna and lost instead, giving fresh hope to Wales and Ireland in qualifying on Friday.

Serbia only had to beat alreadyeliminated Austria. It squandered the opening goal, came back to draw 2-2 then conceded a long-range goal in the 89th minute.

The Serbs can still secure top spot in Europe Group D and the automatic qualifying berth that comes with it, with a home win against Georgia.

But Wales was only a point behind in the standings after beating Georgia 1-0 away without Gareth Bale, and Ireland was only a point behind Wales after defeating Moldova 2-0 in Dublin.

GROUP I

Iceland stayed on the path to becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup after beating Turkey 3-0 on Friday.

With Finland surprisingly holding Croatia to 1-1, and Ukraine taking three points from Kosovo after a 2-0 away win, the tightest group in European qualifying will have to be decided on Monday in the last round of matches.

Iceland tops Group I with 19 points, and Croatia and Ukraine are two points behind.