Ciro Immobile’s second half header got Italy back to winning ways in a 1-0 victory over Israel in Reggio Emilia on Tuesday to move them closer to the 2018 World Cup. After losing 3-0 to Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, Italy needed a win to continue to aspire to first place in Group G, leading to automatic qualification.
Italy still have a remote chance of finishing first as they sit three points behind Spain with two games left, but the play-offs look increasingly likely. Spain top the table after routing Liechtenstein 8-0.
The three points in the Mapei Stadium helped Italy consolidate second place in Group G, six points clear of third-placed Albania, who were held 1-1 by Macedonia. “It is clear that the result was the priority, but I am happy,” said coach Giampiero Ventura.
“We spent 80 minutes in the opposition half, although we did not do well in the first half. It is a small step that should convince us to do better.” Italy, without injured Giorgio Chiellini and suspended Leonardo Bonucci, were far from convincing after their demolition by Spain.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, one of the most prominent players in the game against Spain, barely improved his performance and also picked up a yellow card that will prevent him from playing against Macedonia in October. He was jeered as he left the pitch.
The hosts who could have pulled ahead from the first minute with Torino forward Andrea Belotti sending right of Ariel Harush in the Israel goal.
After the break Italy improved, with a clear first chance for Immobile (48). Five minutes later the Lazio striker opened the scoring with a header from an excellent centre by Antonio Candreva.
Spain slam eight, again
Alvaro Morata and Iago Aspas struck twice as Spain dished out another 8-0 thrashing to Liechtenstein on Tuesday to edge ever closer to booking their place at the World Cup in Russia next year.
Italy’s win means Spain remain three points clear of the Azzurri at the top of Group G of European qualifying with just two games remaining. However, Spain can also now count on a 17-goal advantage on goal difference over the Italians, meaning victory at home to Albania next month will virtually seal qualification.
“The difference between the sides is big, but you have to show that on the field,” Spain boss Julen Lopetegui told Spanish TV station Movistar. “In this case the team was very serious from the start and looked to kill the game off as soon as possible.”
The 2010 world champions have fully cashed in on their meetings with the whipping boys of the group, having also humbled Liechtenstein 8-0 on home soil a year ago. Spain captain Sergio Ramos ended the hosts’ resistance after just two minutes when he rose unchallenged to head home David Silva’s free-kick.
Morata has taken advantage of Chelsea teammate Diego Costa’s absence due to lack of match fitness as his standoff with Antonio Conte at club level continues. Morata furthered his case to be Julen Lopetegui’s first-choice striker by netting three times over the past four days.
Brief scores:
- Republic of Ireland 0 lost to Serbia 1 (Kolarov 55)
- Liechtenstein 0 lost to Spain 8 (Ramos 3, Morata 15, 54, Isco 16, Silva 39, Aspas 51, 63, Goppel 89-og)
- Macedonia 1 (Trajkovski) lost to Albania 1 (Roshi 52)
- Kosovo 0 lost to Finland 1 (Pukki 83)
- Iceland 2 (Sigurdsson 47, 66) beat Ukraine 0
- Turkey 1 (Tosun 75) beat Croatia 0
- Moldova 0 lost to Wales 2 (Robson-Kanu 80, Ramsey 90+3)
- Italy 1 (Immobile 53) beat Israel 0
