FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Spain remain on top of Group G after thrashing Liechtenstein 8-0, again

Vaduz: Alvaro Morata and Iago Aspas struck twice as Spain dished out another 8-0 thrashing to Liechtenstein on Tuesday to edge closer to booking their place at the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Italy’s 1-0 win over Israel means Spain remain three points clear of the Azzurri at the top of Group G of European qualifying with just two games remaining. However, Spain can also now count on a 17-goal advantage on goal difference over the Italians, meaning victory at home to Albania in October will virtually seal qualification. [caption id=“attachment_4013047” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Spain’s Alvaro Morata reacts after scoring, to take the score to 0-2 against Liechtenstein. AP[/caption] “The difference between the sides is big, but you have to show that on the field,” Spain boss Julen Lopetegui told Spanish TV station Movistar. “In this case the team was very serious from the start and looked to kill the game off as soon as possible.” The 2010 world champions have fully cashed in on their meetings with the whipping boys of the group, having also humbled Liechtenstein 8-0 on home soil in 2016. Spain captain Sergio Ramos ended the hosts’ resistance after just two minutes when he rose unchallenged to head home David Silva’s free-kick. Morata has taken advantage of Chelsea teammate Diego Costa’s absence due to lack of match fitness as his standoff with Antonio Conte at club level continues. Morata furthered his case to be Julen Lopetegui’s first-choice striker by netting three times over the past four days. “It’s clear it was an easy first-half but we wanted to enjoy ourselves,” said Morata. “At the end of the day the important thing is we have three more points and are a little step closer.” Morata added to his goal against Italy at the weekend with a simple header from Andres Iniesta’s cross before pouncing on a mishit clearance from Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle to tee up Isco to make it 3-0 inside 16 minutes. Silva then added a fourth before half-time with a sumptuous free-kick to take his tally to nine international goals in the year since Lopetegui took charge. Lopetegui introduced Aspas at the break to hand Silva a rest and he too made his case for more minutes. The Celta Vigo man tapped into an empty net after Morata’s header came off the bar and then picked out Morata with a clever pass for Spain’s sixth. Aspas showed his poise in a crowded penalty box to smash home the seventh. Liechtenstein’s miserable evening was summed up when Maximilian Goppel turned Gerard Deulofeu’s cross into his own net to round off the scoring a minute from time.