Spain beat Albania 2-0 in World Cup qualifier

Spain blanked Albania 2-0 in a Group G qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

For the Spaniards during the match on Sunday at Shkoder city in Albania, it was Costa and Nolito tallying after a scoreless first half for the win, but Sergio Ramos will be out for a month with an injury he suffered during play, Efe news reported.

The Real Madrid and national team captain sprained a ligament in his left knee when he took a bad fall in the 79th minute at Loro Borici Stadium.

Spain is atop Group G with 7 points and a 10-point goal differential, followed by Italy, also with 7 points but with a 3-point goal differential.

Also in Group G, Israel defeated Liechtenstein 2-1 in Jerusalem, with Hemed scoring both Israeli tallies in the 4th and 16th minutes, while Goppel scored for the tiny principality just before the break.

Italy bested Macedonia 3-2 in an away match in Skopje, with Belotti getting the visitors on the board first, then the hosts scoring twice, but finally Immobile evening things up in the 75th minute and then scoring the game-winner in injury time.

Croatia garnered three points in the rankings on Sunday by defeating Finland 1-0, moving into the leadership slot in Europe's Group I.

In Group B play, Algeria and Cameroon battled to a 1-1 draw, with Soudani and Moukandjo trading early goals, and in Group E, it was Egypt besting Congo 2-1 on the road, with Dore scoring before the break for the home squad, but M. Salah and Said scoring in the second period for the visitors.

--IANS

pgh/