Malta Independent

Israel gain precious win against nine-man Albania

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Poland Montenegro Denmark Romania Armenia Kazakhstan 4 3 1 0 10 5 10 4211947 4202756 4121645 4 1 0 3 4 10 3 4 0 2 2 3 11 2 Israel kept the pace with favourites Spain and Italy in Group G yesterday, thanks to a precious victory against nineman Albania in Tirana.

As expected Spain and Italy obtained the three points at stake to remain on top of the group with ten points, Spain beating Macedonia at home, and Italy easily disposing of little Liechtenst­ein in Vaduz.

In Tirana Israel had a good start taking the lead on seventeen minutes thanks to a penalty scored by Eran Zahavi.

It was a double blow for Albania who had Berat Djimsiti sent off in the penalty action.

Early in the second half Albania were reduced to nine men when Etrit Bersiha was also sent off.

Israel put their minds at rest on 66 minutes thanks to a Daniel Einbinder goal, with Eliran Atar addind a third goal six minutes from time.

Spain easily disposed of Macedonia with a 4-0 victory that keeps them in top spot with a better goal difference from rivals Italy.

Spain found the going hard in the first half and could only England Slovenia Slovakia Lithuania Scotland Malta 4 3 1 0 6 0 10 4220428 4202726 4121575 4 1 1 2 6 8 4 4 0 0 4 1 10 0 score through from Velkovski. an own goal

P W D L F A Pts Spain 4 3 1 0 15 1 10 Italy 4 3 1 0 11 4 10 Israel 4301859 Albania 4202466 FYR Macedonia 4 0 0 4 4 11 0 Liechtenst­ein 4 0 0 4 1 16 0 However the Spainards added three further goals after Belgium Greece Bosnia Estonia Cyprus Gibraltar 3 3 0 0 13 0 9 3300819 3201746 3102473 3 0 0 3 0 7 0 3 0 0 3 1 14 0 the break with Vitolo making it two on 63 minutes. Croatia Ukraine Iceland Turkey Finland Kosovo P W D L F A Pts 4 3 1 0 10 1 10 4220738 4211657 4121555 4 0 1 3 3 6 1 4 0 1 3 1 12 1

Two late goals from Nacho and Aduriz gave the Spaniards another massive victory.

In Vaduz Italy could only score four times against modest Liechtenst­ein, with all goals of the Azzurri coming in the first fourty five minutes.

Andrea Belotti opened the score on eleven minutes following a Romagnoli header and sixty seconds later Ciro Immobile doubled the score.

Candreva and Belotti added further goals before the break. In the second half Italy continued to attack in search of further goals, but could not get past Liechtenst­ein’s stubborn defence.

In Group I Ukraine defeated Finland 1-0 thanks to a an Artem Kravets goal on 24 minutes.

The victory lifts Ukraine to second place behind leaders Croatia and above Iceland.

In Group D Serbia obtained a late draw to snatch a point against Wales.

Gareth Bale gave Wales the lead on the half hour, but four minutes from time Serbia obtained a valuable point thanks to Mitrovic goal.

 ??  ?? Andrea Belotti celebrates after scoring the opener for Italy
Andrea Belotti celebrates after scoring the opener for Italy

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