Spain 3-0 Italy 2018 World Cup qualifier: match report, goals, action

Update: Sep 3rd, 2017 13:30 EDT

JAVIER GANDULDIARIO AS

Spain 3-0 Italy: match report

In a game that has been looked forward to since the draw was made as both a spectacle and to iron out the summit of Group G, Italy fell apart while Julen Lopetegui's side put in perhaps their best performance under his watch.

The return game in Italy had finished in a goalless stalemate but after 14 minutes, we were assured that a bore draw would not be repeated. Marco Asensio, making his first competitive international start, was taken down by Leonardo Bonucci outide the box and Isco stepped up to guide the free perfectly over the wall and beyond Gianluigi Buffon's reach.

It was the earliest signs of what would become a man-of-the-match performance by the 25-year-old and the start of a Italy's true frustrations. Set up to sit deep and defend, they had been breached and there was little or nothing they could do to draw level, let alone go ahead of a well-drilled, exceptionally talented Spain side.

That frustration grew exponentially on 40 minutes when Iniesta found Isco at the edge of the box and he cut inside before shooting back across his body with his left and beyond Buffon yet again. it was as though Spain had found the formula to dismantle Italy's catenaccio - and it came in the form of a bearded, long-haired attacking midfielder from Malaga. It was Isco who was delivering the killer blows but the combination of Iniesta's vision and execution along with Asensio's speed was creating massive problems for the visitors. The hosts were perfect all night and provided the ideal blend of defensive solidity with ambition in attack.

The half-time whistle arrived and Giampiero Ventura would have a chance to freshen up his instructions and try to get his side back into contention. A tall task that proved impossible.

That never happened though because Isco was having a night to remember, which was capped off with a wonderful nutmeg of Marco Verratti as he lost two Italian players before creating yet another attack. He was proving himself to be as slippery as an eel and Italy couldn't get a hold on him. Lopetegui had trained with a false nine and with Isco dropping deep into influential positions, Italy were in trouble from the off.

Alvaro Morata returned to the Santiago Bernabeu just a few weeks after leaving to sign with Chelsea and he got straight back to business as both he and his former club teammate, Sergio Ramos, combined before Morata finished to the roof of the net after 70 minutes. Spain were soaring while Italy's hopes of an automatic qualification spot were disappearing into the night sky.

David Villa returned for his first appearance in a Spain shirt since the 2014 World Cup and while he only got a couple of minutes, the crowd was more than pleased to see him back. There was a divide in the Bernabeu over whether to boo or cheer Gerard Piqué but there was no such cognitive dissonance when Villa was sprang from the bench.

The good news was endless for Spain fans as the clock ticked down. Isco was a world apart from anyone on the night, Morata scored on his return to the Bernabeu and Villa is back on the scene but the bottom line is that Spain are back in control of their own destiny atop Group G with three games to play while Italy will be faced with some very difficult questions as to their tactics and display on a night when nothing went right for them.

Spain vs Italy live stream online: latest news

Spain vs Italy live online: World Cup qualifying preview

A sold-out Bernabéu will host the pick of the matches from this round of international fixtures, as Spain host Italy in a crucial 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier.

Both sides are perched at the top of Group G on 16 points, with Spain narrowly ahead on goal difference. La Roja (2010) and the Azzuri (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) have both lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy before, but one of the two will have to quality for Russia 2018 via the play-offs. The outcome of the match on Saturday evening will go a long way to determining whether that is Spain or Italy.

Spain team news

Julen Lopetegui has called up David 'El Guaje' Villa to the Spain squad for the first time in three years. Villa, Spain's all-time leading goal-scorer with 59 goals, has remained potent on the other side of the pond with New York City. The two go back a long way. A 19-year-old Villa scored his first goal as a professional for Sporting Gijón in a friendly against Rayo Vallecano, whose keeper that day was none other than Lopetegui.

The ongoing uncertainty around Diego Costa's future means the Brazil-born striker has not been called up, while Kepa and Suso are the only uncapped players.

Marco Asensio is the name on everyone's lips, and he has featured as a false nine in training.

Italy team news

Giorgio Chiellini is injured, meaning Daniele Rugani is likely to slot in alongside Barzagli and Bonucci in the formidable Italian defence. This will come as pleasant news for Spain striker Álvaro Morata, who provided the fabulous line "playing against Chiellini is like going in to a gorilla's cage and robbing his food."

Coach Gian Piero Ventura has favoured a 4-4-2 formation since taking over from Antonio Conte, but he looks like to revert to the three-man defence that served the Azzuri so well in the 2016 European Championship.

Andrea Belotti, who scored 26 goals for Torino last season, will be the chief source of bother for Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos.

Spain vs Italy live: potential line-ups

Spain XI: De Gea; Carvajal, Ramos, Piqué, Alba; Isco, Busquets, Iniesta; Asensio, Morata, Pedro.

Head coach: Julen Lopetegui

Italy XI: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani; Candreva, Montolivo, Verratti, Rossi, Darmian; Insigne, Immobile.

Head coach: Gian Piero Ventura

Spain vs Italy live stream online: betting and odds

Italy have not lost a World Cup or Euros qualifier since 2006, a run stretching back 54 matches. A draw appears a likely result, with 2-2 available at 21/1.

Place your bet on Spain vs Italy here.

Spain 3-0 Italy 2018 World Cup qualifier: match report, goals, action