Spain do the minimum against Malta
Two goals from Morata saw Spain, who dominated possession, pick up all three points at the Ta' Qali stadium in Euro 2020 qualifying group F.
Malta 0-2 Spain: match report
Spain continued their unbeaten start to Euro 2020 qualification in Malta on Tuesday night thanks to goals in either half from Alvaro Morata.
Malta, who beat the Faroe Islands in their opening game, sat deep for long spells and never truly threatened Spain but the visitors' inability to finish hurt them once again.
Against Norway on Saturday, Spain pepperered their goals but found themselves level in the second half after a Josh King penalty and needed a Sergio Ramos panenka style goal from the spot themselves so get out of jail.
They didn't need their captain this time but the 21 shots at goal (7 on target) with only two goals could hurt Luis Enrique's side sooner rather than later.
Alvaro Morata got the scoring started when he took down a Mario Hermoso pass with his thigh. He turned the defender and struck across Bonello, who could only offer a weak hand as a defense against the shot.
He scored the second too. Jesus Navas, only on the field the length of a lumbering Spain attack, whipped the ball into the middle and Morata slammed a header to the net to distinguish any hopes Malta might have been harbouring of a comeback.
Luis Enrique, who wasn't on the sideline due to family issues, will be happy with the six points from six available and the efforts his side are creating but there has to be at least a little concern over their inability to finish.
They will play a team at some stage who actively attack them and they'll have far less chances to turn into a goal.
They sit at the top of Group F, however, and play the Faroe Islands and then Sweden at home in June. As far as this international break goes, it's a case of a job done with plenty to work on.
Malta vs Spain live online: match updates
Malta vs Spain live online: preview
Luis Enrique will not be on the sideline on Tuesday when Malta welcome Spain as he excused himself due to family reasons. After their successful start to Euro 2020 qualifying against Norway in Valencia on Saturday night, his side travel to Malta to play a side looking to keep their 100% record in tact. They beat Fare Islands 2-1 at the weekend too as we get a top of the table clash early on the road to the Euros.
Malta suffered a 12-1 defeat to Spain in 1983 and have failed to win a single game in seven attempts against their opponents on Tuesday night. The most recent game agains the two sides came in 1997 with Spain winning 4-0. The home side will need their goalscorer, Michael Mifsud, on target. The Birkirkara striker has 41 goals for his country and will lead the line on Tuesday.
Spain, for their part, are likely to ring the changes with plenty of talent in their squad. Rordrigo could get a start and so could Kepa in goals. Alba and Busquets will likely be rested too. They beat Norway on Saturday but they missed a number of chances and it will be interesting to see if Luis Enrique makes changes in an effort to find the goals they lacked on that occasion.