Spain beats Italy 3-0 to close in on World Cup spot

Spain's Isco celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Spain and Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Saturday Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul White) Spain's Isco celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Spain and Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Saturday Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul White)

By Associated Press September 2, 2017 3 min read

MADRID (AP) – Two first-half strikes by Francisco “Isco” Alarcon helped Spain beat Italy 3-0 Saturday and move closer to securing a World Cup spot.

Isco got the better of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from a free kick early in the game, then outsmarted the Italian defense with a low shot just before halftime at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Substitute Alvaro Morata scored Spain’s third goal in the second half.

The result left Spain in control of Group G with 19 points, three more than Italy, with three games left in European qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Albania is third with 12 points.

Only the group winner automatically qualifies.