Spain 3-0 Albania: La Roja reach Russia as Pique wins over some fans
Rodrigo, Isco and Thiago Alcantara got the goals as Spain reached the World Cup
Pique was applauded and whistled but won over some fans by the time he was substituted
Spain reached the 2018 World Cup by thrashing Albania in Alicante while Italy drew with Macedonia.
ESP
3 ________________ 0
ALB
LINE UP
España
De Gea, Odriozola, Piqué (Nacho, 60'), Ramos, Alba, Thiago, Koke, Saúl, Isco, Silva (Asensio, 72') y Rodrigo (Aduriz, 81')
Albania
Bersha, Hysaj, Vaseli, Ajeti, Memolla, Balliu (Sadiku, 45'), Kaçe, Memushaj, Grezda (Latijim 65'), Xhaka y Llullaku
Goies
1-0, Rodrigo (15'); 2-0, Isco (23'); 3-0, Thiago (26')
Árbitro
Aleksei Eskov. TA: TA: Piqué (48'), Silva (65') / Llullaku (13'), Xhaka (25¿), Kaçe (29'), Grezda (47') y Hysaj (70')
Estadio
Rico Pérez, 25.397 espectadores
La Roja have qualified for the tournament 15 times now and will be one of the favourites to win the trophy after a qualifying campaign which they have sailed through unbeaten - reaching Russia with one game still to go.
That comes on Monday in Israel but Gerard Pique will not be going after he was booked, with the Barcelona defender enduring a night of both whistles and applause, in which he appeared to win over some fans by the end who cheered him off as he was substituted.
Spain dominated the first half with three goals inside 27 minutes, Rodrigo Moreno grabbing the first, his first international goal, after he reached Isco's chip and slammed home.
Madrid playmaker Isco netted the second after good work by Koke, and the third came when debutant Alvaro Odriazola curled in a cross that Thiago Alcantara met with a bullet header.
Albania hit the post twice but it was job done and game over, as Spain started dreaming of Russia.
