Isco on fire in commanding victory for Spain
SteemSports Presenter: @the23chronicles
SteemSports Editor: @writingamigo
Spain defeated Group G rivals Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu, with goals from Isco and Alvaro Morata. The Real Madrid star, playing at his home ground, scored two goals, both in the first half and continued his magnificent individual year for club and country.
The convincing win sees Spain move three points clear of Italy at the top of Group G with only three matches to go while Italy is four points ahead of third-placed Albania.
Spain was without a traditional striker for this match but did not need one as they handed Italy a first qualifying defeat in over a decade. And they are now surely going to qualify for the World Cup.
Spain made the breakthrough in the 13th minute after Leonardo Bonucci was booked for a foul on Marco Asensio. Italy was further punished from the resulting free-kick, as Isco stepped up to a dipping effort past Gianluigi Buffon from 25 yards.
The visitors almost equalized but Andrea Belotti was denied by a good reaction save from De Gea. The hosts then doubled their lead five minutes before half-time, Isco collecting a pass from Andres Iniesta and fired into the bottom corner from just outside the area. With that, he became the first player to score two goals from outside the box in the same game for Spain since 2004.
Italy came out strong in the second half, and De Gea made some decent saves to keep out Italy. Real Madrid latest star, Asensio, also sent a bouncing effort just wide from over 30 yards. With 18 minutes to go, Iniesta came off to a standing ovation, with Morata coming in.
And just five minutes after his introduction, Chelsea’s Morata scored a third after a beautiful link up play with former Real Madrid teammate, Sergio Ramos. De Gea was active to deny Italy from getting a consolation goal, saving Lorenzo Insigne’s late strike, while Morata saw a second goal ruled out for offside after he headed in David Silva’s cross.
Isco came off in the final moments and received a well-deserved standing ovation, as David Villa came on to make a popular return to the international scene at age 35, after a three-year absence, earning his 98th senior cap.
Spain still keeps their unbeaten record as they have never lost a World Cup qualifier at home, playing 56 and winning an impressive 47.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, where they will both be hunting for wins. Italy will be hosting Israel while Spain is off to Liechtenstein, where they will be hoping to secure a World Cup spot early.
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STOPWow.. Is this going to be our first 80 Rep account? Will be interesting! :D
Talk soon!