OVER! Isco goes for the strike from distance from the resulting free-kick, but curls his effort just over the bar.
The referee ends the contest.
90' +1
Saul charges through the middle of the pitch and he gets brought down by Ajeti. Somehow the Albania defender avoids a booking.
90'
There will be two minutes of added time.
89'
OVER! With few options around him Llullaku goes for a strike from distance, but can only send his effort harmlessly over the bar.
88'
Llullaku finds space in the right inside channel to lift a cross into the box, but Nacho rises to head the ball away from Sadiku.
86'
Asensio delays on his strike in the final third after finding space on the left flank and allows Veseli to make a block to take the pace off his effort.
84'
Spain are knocking the ball around with ease in the Albania half as the game is petering towards an uneventful ending.
82'
Aduriz enters the game and replaces Rodrigo.
Rodrigo makes way late on the contest for Aduriz.
81'
Isco's in search of further goals this evening and he collects Saul's layoff, but finds his path to the net blocked off by Hysaj.
79'
Isco pulls the strings in the final third before the ball heads back to Asensio for the strike. He lets fly with a powerful effort, but sends the ball over the bar.
Minute
Description
77'
WIDE! Spain work the ball across the edge of the box before Saul lines up a strike. However, he curls his effort wide of the post.
74'
Marco Asensio enters the game and replaces David Silva.
Silva makes way for Asensio.
73'
SAVE & OVER! Latifi has space to turn on the edge of the box and he hammers his effort at goal. De Gea makes the save, but he palms the ball straight out. Sadiku latches on to it and strikes on the volley, only to send his effort over the bar.
71'
OVER! Isco goes for the strike from the free-kick, but can only fire his effort well over the bar.
Thiago takes possession in the Albania half after robbing Kace. He slides the ball into the path of Isco. He should shoot first time, but he cuts back on his left foot and allows Agolli to close down the shot.
70'
E. Hysaj gets yellow.
Hysaj brings down Rodrigo on the counter on the edge of the box and goes into the book.
69'
OFF THE POST! Sadiku latches on to Hysaj's cross from the right, but his header clatters off the post after he beat Nacho in the air. It has not been Albania's day in front of goal.
68'
OFFSIDE! Sadiku just moves a fraction early in his run behind the Spain backline. Xhaka's lofted throughball found the striker, but because he moved too soon he was flagged offside.
66'
L. Latifi enters the game and replaces E. Grezda.
A back header from Silva almost falls kindly for Sadiku, but Nacho is alert to the danger and clears his lines in the box.
Latifi replaces Greza for the visitors.
65'
David Silva gets yellow.
Silva goes into the book for clipping the heels of Agolli.
62'
It's the best spell of the game for Albania at the moment as they're enjoying a spell of possession on the edge of the box, but La Roja are holding firm at the back.
60'
Nacho enters the game and replaces Piqué.
A mixed response for Pique as he is withdrawn. Some jeers and some cheers as he makes way for Nacho.
59'
WIDE! Albania come close to getting a goal back as Ajeti rises highest in the area to head at goal from Memushaj's cross, but his effort drifts wide of the post.
57'
PENALTY SHOUT! Albania want a penalty as Memushaj's cross strikes Alba in the box and the visitors believe it was on the arm, but the officials do not agree.
56'
OVER! Silva picks out Koke's run and the midfielder slides the ball to Rodrigo to strike, but he curls his effort over the bar. He has been hit and miss this evening.
55'
Spain are in complete control of this game and have not allowed Albania breathing room since the break.
53'
SAVE! Silva slides the ball through into the path of Rodrigo and he tries to slot the ball into the bottom corner, but Berisha gets down well to make the save, palming the ball past the post.
50'
Alba raids down the left flank and stands the ball up towards the penalty spot. Koke rises to meet the ball and heads towards the bottom corner, only to be denied by a smart save from Berisha.
49'
BLOCK! Silva collects Odriozola's pass inside the box and turns past Kace, but he dwells too long on his strike and sees his effort blocked.
48'
Piqué gets yellow.
Pique is booked for late lunge on Sadiku.
47'
E. Grezda gets yellow.
Grezda goes into the book for a late lunge on Alba.
Whistles have been sounding every time Pique has touched the ball for Spain this evening due to his comments to the Catalonia referendum.
46'
A. Agolli enters the game and replaces H. Memolla.
A. Sadiku enters the game and replaces I. Balliu.
We're back underway in Alicante.
Agolli replaces Memolla at the break.
Sadiku replaces Balliu.
45' +1
Grezda robs Pique in the box and could go down as the defender tries to pull him back. However, he sends a low cross into the box, but Llullaku cannot beat Ramos to the ball, who clears behind for a corner.
Memushaj's corner is gathered with ease by De Gea and the referee ends the first half.
45'
There will be one minute of added time.
44'
BLOCK! Spain pull the Albania defence one way then the other before Isco pulls the trigger on the edge of the box, but his effort is well blocked by Memushaj.
42'
CHANCE! Memushaj has an opening as he latches on to Grezda's low cross into the box, but under pressure from Odriozola he scuffs his strike at goal.
39'
OVER! Rodrigo should have his second goal as he latches on to Koke's cross into the box from the right, but he gets under the ball and heads over the bar from close range.
38'
Albania win a free-kick down the right and although the first cross is cleared by the home side Xhaka gathers the rebound. It takes an uncomfortable bounce for the midfielder, but he still gets an effort away, only to send his strike over the bar.
36'
After a slow start to the game Rodrigo has come to life and has been at the focal point of almost every move for La Roja in the final third.
34'
Spain are in full flow in the final third and Rodrigo and Silva combine to tee up Alba in space on the left, but he fires his effort wide of the post.
33'
SAVE! Silva sends a ball into the channel for Rodrigo to collect and he shoots first time to try to beat the on-rushing Berisha, but the keeper makes the save. La Roja keep the attack alive and the ball deflects off Silva and loops into the air, only to land on the roof of the net to the relief of Berisha.
32'
Spain get in behind the Albania backline down the left as Silva releases Alba. The full-back sends a low cross into the box, but Veseli slides to deny Rodrigo at the near post.
31'
WIDE! Spain clear the corner but only as far as Memushaj on the edge of the box. The midfielder goes for the striker, but sends his effort wide of the post.
30'
Llullaku almost latches on to Balliu's low cross into the box, but Saul just does enough to put him off the strike, although he concedes a corner in the process.
29'
E. Kaçe gets yellow.
Kace catches Alba with a stray arm and goes into the book.
26'
T. Xhaka gets yellow.
Thiago Alcântara has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Odriozola.
Xhaka goes into the book for a loose challenge.
Odriozola runs down the right flank and lifts a brilliant cross into the box to allow Thiago to head into the net.
GOALLLLLLLLL!!!!! THIAGO MAKES IT THREE! Spain are pouring it on in the first half here as Thiago - of all people - nods home from close range. Odriozola created the goal as he raided down the right and lifted a pinpoint cross into the box that had the perfect weight on the delivery to allow Thiago to run on to and put his header past Berisha into the bottom corner. It was terrible defending from the visitors and La Roja capitalised.
25'
OFF THE BAR! Llullaku almost brings Albania back into the contest as he latches on to a cross from the left and heads towards the target, but his effort clatters off the bar. De Gea was beaten, but fortune was not on the side of the visitors.
23'
Isco has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Koke.
Koke slides the ball into Isco's feet and the midfielder does the rest with a fine strike.
GOALLLLLL!!! ISCO DOUBLES SPAIN'S LEAD! The Real Madrid man finds the net with a stunning finish from inside the box. Koke picks him out in the area and he has space to take the ball on to his right foot. He strikes his effort with power and accuracy into the top corner giving Berisha no chance. A super effort from the midfielder.
22'
Albania have a chance to send a corner into the box from the right flank, but Memushaj sends the ball straight out of play for a goal-kick. Very wasteful.
20'
WIDE! Odriozola slides the ball into the feet of Silva in the right inside channel. He turns his man to open up space to strike on his left foot, only to pull his effort wide of the post.
19'
SAVE! Koke sends a free-kick to the back post for Ramos to attack and he powers a header towards the net. Berisha makes a good reaction save, although the effort would not have counted away as the defender was offside.
16'
Rodrigo has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Isco.
GOALLLLLLLL!!!! RODRIGO FINDS THE NET! He missed a sitter three minutes ago, but the striker atones for his mistake as he fires La Roja ahead with a super strike. He collects Isco's chipped ball into the box and controls on his chest. Rodrigo creates just enough space to fire at goal on the volley and his effort flies past Berisha into the top corner. A fine strike from the forward.
Isco lifts the ball into the box before Rodrigo takes over with his sublime finish.
14'
A. Llullaku gets yellow.
Llullaku catches Pique with a stray arm and goes into the book.
13'
CHANCE! Isco sends a delightful ball into the box for Rodrigo to attack. The ball is on a plate for the striker, but he can only guide his free header from six yards wide of the post. A shocking miss.
12'
Isco has space on the edge of the box, but he plays his offload behind Alba, preventing the left-back from sending a cross into the box.
10'
Spain are working down the flanks in the early stages of the contest, but are not finding a great deal of success as the quality of their deliveries has not been the best thus far.
8'
Llullaku has space to register his first attempt at goal and he gets a decent connection on his strike, but De Gea makes a comfortable stop.
7'
BLOCK! Thiago lines up an effort on the edge of the box, but he fails to generate power on the strike, which is blocked by a wall of white shirts.
6'
Alba has space down down the left and he fires a low ball into the box, but Rodrigo can only steer his effort wide of the post.
5'
Odriozola is seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages of the contest and he sends a cross into the box, but it flies over the head of Rodrigo in the penalty area.
4'
Odriozola goes on the charge down the right flank, but Veseli stops his run and sends the ball out for a throw-in.
3'
Spain probe the edge of the Albania box, but the visitors hold firm. Thiago attempts to slide Odriozola down the right flank, but the pass goes out for a goal-kick.
1'
We're underway in Alicante.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the World Cup qualifying clash between Spain and Albania in Alicante.
Spain can book their place in the World Cup with a victory this evening. They are currently three points ahead of second-placed Italy, boasting a far superior goal difference. Three points against Albania would take them beyond the reach of the Azzurri.
Albania have to win this evening to keep their slim hopes of earning second place alive. They're six points behind Italy and would need the Azzurri to lose twice to even have a chance at snatching a play-off berth.
The team news has been announced and we'll start with the home side.
Julen Lopetegui has made five changes to his side from their last match against Liechtenstein. Alvaro Morata misses out due to injury, handing Rodrigo Moreno the start to spearhead the attack. Alvaro Odriozola makes his debut at right-back, while Jordi Alba, Saul Niguez and Koke also come into the fold this evening.
FLASHBACK! Spain beat Albania 2-0 in their contest this time last year as goals from Diego Costa and Nolito secured the three points in the second half.
The players are out on the pitch so we should be underway shortly.
Albania have made seven changes from their draw against Macedonia last time out. Hysen Memolla, Ergys Kace, Taulant Xhaka, Eros Grezda, Ledian Memushaj, Frederic Veseli and Ivan Balliu all come into the team this evening.
HALF-TIME: SPAIN 3-0 ALBANIA
Spain are on course to all but secure their place in the World Cup next year as goals from Rodrigo, Isco and Thiago Alcantara have put them them in control at the break against Albania. Rodrigo opened the scoring with a fine finish on the volley, while Isco too found the net with a super strike. Thiago made it three with a close-range header, while at the other end Azdren Llullaku hit the bar for the visitors. It has been an action-packed game, but La Roja have been unplayable at times.
The players are back out on the pitch, so we should be underway again shortly.
FULL-TIME: SPAIN 3-0 ALBANIA
SPAIN ARE THROUGH TO THE WORLD CUP FINALS! Confirmation that La Roja will compete in Russia next year as Italy have only managed a draw against Macedonia this evening, securing an automatic berth for Julen Lopetegui's men.
Thanks for joining our commentary this evening. Until next time, goodbye.
The contest was straight forward this evening as first-half goals from Rodrigo, Isco and Thiago Alcantara were enough to secure the victory. Albania did hit the woodwork twice through Azdren Llullaku and then Armando Sadiku in the second half. Spain were perhaps guilty of showboating in the second period which prevented them from adding to the scoreline, but Lopetegui will not care too much as his side have booked their place in the finals.
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