Spain qualify for FIFA 2018 World Cup with thumping win over Albania

2010 World Cup winners Spain secured their place in the 2018 World Cup at Russia after emerging as Group G winners post storming to 3-0 win over Albania on Friday.

Spain comfortably topped their Group with an impressive win over Albania, while nearest challengers Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by Macedonia.

Valencia forward Rodrigo Moreno made a stellar international debut by opening the scoring in the 16th minute, chesting down an outrageously stylish pass from Isco to swivel and fire into the top corner.

Real Madrid midfielder Isco then doubled the lead by placing the ball high into the net in the 23rd to complete an equally impressive move of short floor passes between David Silva and Koke, while Thiago Alcantara scored the third three minutes later with a thumping header from a pinpoint cross from debutant Alvaro Odriozola.

Despite missing key players such as Alvaro Morata, Andres Iniesta and Dani Carvajal through injury, the 2010 world champions looked as irresistible as in their 3-0 win over Italy last month, scoring three times in the space of 11 minutes.

They set the tone with a sweeping team move early on which saw Rodrigo miss the target from a Jordi Alba cross, and the Valencia forward wasted another chance for an early goal when he headed a perfectly weighted cross from Isco wide.

Rodrigo, who was recalled to the Spain squad for the first time in three years after spearheading Valencia's impressive start to the Liga campaign, put those misses behind him with a clinical finish after being played in by Isco.