MADRID (AP) – Spain moved closer to securing a World Cup spot with a convincing 3-0 win Saturday over Italy after a remarkable performance by Real Madrid forward Francisco “Isco” Alarcon.
Gareth Bale’s Wales got back in contention in its group thanks to a winner by 17-year-old striker Benjamin Woodburn five minutes into his international debut.
The result in Madrid ended Italy’s 11-year, 56-game unbeaten run in all qualifiers, and extended Spain’s own run without a loss in World Cup qualifying to 60 matches.
Serbia took the outright lead in Group D by beating Moldova 3-0, while Ukraine moved ahead in Group I by defeating Turkey 2-0.
Spain opened a three-point lead over Italy, taking control of the difficult Group G with three games left for each team.