World Cup 2018 - Qualifying matches

Macedonia 1 - Spain 2

Macedonia: Dimitrievski; Tosevski (Trajkovski 74’), Sikov, Mojsov (Trickovski 85’), Ristevski; Ristovski, Stjepanovic (Elmas 46’), Spirovski, Alioski; Nestorovski, Pandev. 4-4-2.
Spain: De Gea; Dani Carvajal, Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Thiago (Koke 74’), Busquets, Iniesta (Saúl Ñíguez 92’); Isco, Diego Costa, David Silva (Pedro 69’). 4-3-3.

Goals:
0-1. 15. David Silva. Picked up Jordi Alba pass and turned shot past Dimitrievski.
0-2. 27. Diego Costa. Tap-in on far post after good run by Isco from right of goal.
1-2. 66. Ristovski. Collected ball in midfield and ran on to fire shot past De Gea.

Yellow cards: Pandev 35’, Mojsov 64’, David Silva 67’, Jordi Alba 72’, Elmas 77’, Ristevski 93’.

Spain beat Macedonia 1-2 in their latest World Cup qualifier to stay at the top of their group, ahead of Italy on goal difference. Iniesta and Jordi Alba combined to set up David silva for the opening goal with a quarter of an hour gone, and Diego Costa got on the end of an Isco cross to make it two a few minutes later. Isco in particular went close a couple of times later on in the first half, and Piqué headed a good chance over the top on the hour mark. Some five minutes later however Ristovski ran through after a throw-in was played on to him to fire a shot past De Gea in to the roof of the net, and although Spain had the better chances after that, there were some nervous moments for the visiting supporters before the final whistle.