MALTA            0

SPAIN             2

Morata 31, 72

Alvaro Morata came to Spain's rescue as the Atletico Madrid forward scored a goal in each half to hand his team a hard-fought 2-0 win at the National Stadium.

Malta coach Ray Farrugia made three changes from the team that beat Faroe Islands last Saturday.

Defender Andrei Agius missed out as he was serving suspension after his red card against the Faroes. His place was taken by Zach Muscat. Joseph Zerafa and John Mintoff were given the nod ahead of Rowen Muscat and Michael Muscat.

Spain were without coach Luis Enrique after the former Barcelona mentor was forced to return home earlier in the day for ‘serious family reasons’ according the Spanish Football Federation.

La Roja were under the supervision of Enrique’s right-hand man Robert Moreno.

The Spaniards kept only three players from the team that beat Norway 2-1 at the Mestalla Stadium with skipper Sergio Ramos and forward duo Marco Asensio and Alvaro Morata the only survivors from the Valencia match.

Malta made an encouraging start in the opening minutes with the team playing their usual high-pressing game that somewhat hindered the Spaniards from playing their usual slick passing game.

Spain’s first opportunity of the night came on 15 minutes when Saul Niguez showed great technique to turn past Caruana and hit a curling drive that just missed the upright.

Niguez had an even better chance two minutes later when he was picked inside the area by Sergio Roberto but he stabbed the ball over the bar.

Henry Bonello was forced to make his first block on 30 minutes when did well to keep out Morata’s header from Asensio’s cross.

But the Atletico Madrid was not to be denied as a minute later he put his team ahead.

Mario Hermoso found Morata inside the area and he showed great composure to fend off Muscat’s challenge to slid the ball past Bonello.

It was all Spain and six minutes from the break Nwoko upended Morata on the edge of the area and from the resultant free-kick Asensio’s inswinger flew over.

Eight minutes into the second half, Borg plunged into Asensio’s feet to hand Spain a free-kick from the edge of the area but Ramos saw his shot coming off the wall.

Sergi Roberto was turning out to be Spain’s most efficient provider in terms of crosses and on 58 minutes he again picked Morata who headed wide.

On the hour mark, Sergio Canales picked Asensio who quickly transferred the ball to Morata but his shot was easily blocked by Bonello.

A minute later it was the turn of Asensio but again the Malta no.1 stood firm to push the ball away.

Moreno was clearly frustrated by his team’s lack of penetration and he tried to redress that by bringing in Jesus Navas for the off-colour Niguez.

Farrugia on the other hand withdrew Mbong and Mintoff and roped in Rowen Muscat and Michael Mifsud as he switched the team system to 4-5-1 to try and further suffocate Spain’s midfield players.

Navas had an instant impact as on 72 minutes he sent a perfect cross towards Morata who headed past Bonello.

Fourteen minutes from time, Bonello dived to his right to push away Ramos’ thumping drive.

Canales came close to grabbing a third five minutes from time but his fierce drive just missed the upright.

Spain’s final opportunity came a minute from time when Asensio again tried his luck from the distance but Bonello once again was alert to block.

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore

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