Ten-man Italy claimed a hard-fought win in Israel in their opening World Cup qualifier last night – but the three points came at a cost.
Graziano Pelle’s goal and Antonio Candreva’s penalty had Giampiero Ventura’s visitors two up after half an hour of the Group G clash and, even after conceding before the break and then having Giorgio Chiellini harshly sent off shortly after it, they never looked like losing control.
Ciro Immobile, a second-half substitute, sealed the victory with an emphatic finish seven minutes from time.
Chiellini’s dismissal, though, could be keenly felt as it means the defender will be suspended for Italy’s heavyweight meeting with Spain, the side they beat in the last 16 of Euro 2016 and who opened their qualifying campaign with a thumping 8-0 over Liechtenstein, in Turin next month.
Maccabi Tel Aviv winger Tal Ben Haim had got Israel back into the match with a glorious chip 10 minutes before half-time, but, despite playing with an extra man for much of the second period they could not get an equaliser.
Spain ran Liechtenstein ragged as they began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a thumping victory in Leon.
Seven of their goals came in a devastating second-half display as Liechtenstein crumbled after frustrating their hosts early on.
Diego Costa, David Silva and Alvaro Morata all scored twice while Sergi Roberto and Vitolo also got on the scoresheet.
It made for a perfect first competitive game for new coach Julen Lopetegui, who would actually have been concerned at his side’s lack of cutting edge at half-time.
Wales talisman Gareth Bale set up the first goal and scored twice, including a late penalty, as the Euro 2016 semi-finalists won 4-0 in their opening Group D match.
The Welsh, who controlled the match in Cardiff, made the breakthrough seven minutes before half-time when Bale swung over a left-footed cross from the right and Sam Vokes headed home.
Joe Allen made it 2-0 in the 44th after a poor clearance from a corner fell to the midfielder on the edge of the box and he fired past three defenders for his first international goal.
Five minutes into the second half, Bale was quick to latch onto a poor back pass by Ion Jardan and raced into the box to neatly chip past goalkeeper Ilie Cebanu before scoring his 24th Wales goal from the spot with the last kick of the match.
“We know these games are very difficult,” said Bale.
“We’ve played teams like these before who are very difficult to break down. We’re learning to cope with this kind of play against us a little better, we’re growing as a team.
“It was an important win for us to get off to a good start. We enjoyed the past, that’s history now. It’s time to make some more,” he added.
Kosovo debut
Valon Berisha celebrated being cleared to play for Kosovo by earning them a 1-1 draw in Finland in their first ever World Cup qualifier.
The Red Bull Salzburg midfielder, capped 19 times by Norway, was one of six players who had to wait until hours before the game for FIFA to rubber-stamp his change of allegiance.
But he scored his new country’s first competitive goal, converting emphatically from the penalty spot on the hour after namesake Bernard was fouled by Thomas Lam.
Finland had taken the lead in the 18th minute when Robin Lod’s corner found its way to defender Paulus Arajuuri, who blasted home from six yards.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and had been campaigning for several years to join FIFA.