2018 World Cup qualifying: Spain beats Italy to seize control of group

One of Europe's most storied rivalries was revived on Saturday night, as Spain and Italy took the pitch together in 2018 World Cup qualifying. The two national teams entered the day level on points, knowing that Group G effectively came down to the game at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Any suggestions that the match would be a level affair, however, were quickly dismissed.

In a battle that had supporters forgetting about Euro 2016, Spain defeated Italy 3-0 to seize control of Group G and take a step towards Russia. Walking tall at Real Madrid, Isco demonstrated why he's the heir to the throne at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring two goals in the first half - including a phenomenal free-kick that Gianluigi Buffon couldn't reach - and leaving Marco Verratti for dead with a nutmeg. Alvaro Morata, meanwhile, scored at his old stomping ground, tapping home a pass from a former teammate, Sergio Ramos.

Spain's victory extended its unbeaten run in World Cup qualifying to 60 games. La Roja exploited Italy's 4-2-4 formation by using the space in the middle of the pitch to create attacks, as Isco pulled the strings and made fools of the planet's most renowned defence, which included the likes of Matteo Darmian, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, and Leonardo Spinazzola. Giorgio Chiellini was absent after reporting muscular discomfort in his right calf.

Of note, David Villa, Spain's all-time top scorer, pulled on La Roja's shirt for the first time in 1,167 days to earn his 98th senior cap, and Andres Iniesta became the national team's fifth player to be capped 120 times.

Spain will invade Liechtenstein on Tuesday while Italy hosts Israel at the Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore.