Spain against Macedonia in World Cup qualifying match

Skopje: Spain defeated Macedonia 2-1 in the World Cup qualifying match and replaced their place in Group G for the 2018 Russian Football Tournament. It was the first time Isco, who played brilliantly, was in the starting lineup for a World Cup qualifier with Julen Lopetegui as coach, under whom Spain is still unbeaten, reports Efe. Spain took control of the match, demonstrating that the fire came into the field on Sunday and showed excellent ball-handling and passing. Fifteen minutes into play it was David Silva in great form who got the Spaniard's on the board first. Andres Iniesta knocked the ball into the path of Barcelona colleague Jordi Alba, who tapped it back to Silva, whereupon he popped it into the net from about eight meters.

Then, it was Diego Costa in the 27th minute, on a pass by Isco after a shot saved by Stole Dimitrievski, driving home his fifth goal of qualifying play from short distance to put La Roja up by two at the break. In the 66th minute, with the Spaniards seeming to relax to some extent, Macedonia's Stefan Ristovski made a fabulous effort to score for the home team, threatening to mount a comeback drive.Ristovski made a fabulous effort to score for the home team, threatening to mount a comeback drive. But Lootetuyi's boys managed to retain their lead and then go on to Italy in September in Madrid in the qualifying round. The top team from each team in the nine UEFA qualifying groupThe top team from each team in the nine UEFA qualifying groupzs is a direct berth in the World Cup next year.