The Malta Independent on Sunday
Isco a star as Spain beat Italy to take command of Group G
Yesterday’s Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers
Real Madrid striker Isco became the darling of Spanish football enthusiasts yesterday as he starred in Madrid where Spain defeated Italy 3-0.
It was Isco who scored the two goals in the first half which was largely dominated by the home side. Morata added the third in the second half.
Italy now seem heading to the playoffs for the 2018 World Cup after a 30 defeat to Spain in Madrid, sealed by Isco’s brace and Alvaro Morata.
Giampiero Ventura took huge risks with the formation and tactics, but they didn’t pay off in the worst performance of his tenure.
These sides were locked together at the top of World Cup qualifying Group G, but the Spaniards had the upper hand on goal difference, so an Azzurri victory was the only real option to avoid a runner-up spot and play-offs.
Giorgio Chiellini was injured and Roberto Gagliardini suspended, so Ventura went for an audacious 4-2-4 formation, while Spain dropped Morata in favour of a False 9 approach.
Also for Italy, goalkeeper Gigi Buffon was making his 170th appearance for the Azzurri.
Italy have not beaten Spain on their own turf since 1949 and the Furia Roja were unbeaten in home World Cup qualifiers. Italy hadn’t lost any of their last 56 qualifiers between World Cup and European Championship, stretching back to France in 2006.
Albania also kept their remote hopes of qualifying through the playoffs as they beat tiny Liechtenstein 2-0 with second half goals from Roshi and Agolli.
Serbia took command of Group D after an impressive 3-0 win over Moldova and with second placed Ireland dropping two points in a 1-1 draw against Georgia.
Gacinovic, Kolarov and Mitrovic were Serbia’s scorers in a match they dominated from start to finish.
In Georgia, Duffy gave the Irish an early 4th minute lead, but that was cancelled by a Kazaishvili equaliser on the 34th minute.
Iceland received a setback to their hopes of qualifying when they lost 1-0 to Finland in Helsinki.
Finland scored what proved to be the winner through Ring after just eight minutes.
Ukraine overtook Iceland and Croatia to move into first place in Group I, following their important 2-0 win against Turkey. They now have 14 points, one more than Croatia and Iceland. But Croatia have a match in hand as their match against Kosovo was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.