Spain 3-0 Italy: 5 Talking Points, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
International breaks are fun when we get to see two giants in world football go against each other and it was Spain who triumphed 3-0 over Italy in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Pristine white was replaced by fiery red in the stands of the Santiago Bernabeu and the pitch as Julen Lopetegui's side put Gian Piero Ventura's side to the sword.
Both teams were locked on 16 points each in Group G prior to kickoff but a brace from Isco and a goal from Alvaro Morata ensured La Furia Roja now have the upper hand in qualification for the quadrennial event in Russia next year.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
1) Italy's naive tactics see historic unbeaten run come to an end
A year ago, Antonio Conte's highly-organised Italy had outclassed Spain at the 2016 Euros to deny La Roja a chance to defend their 2012 title. Unfortunately for the Azzurri faithful, this team was far from giving the home side any trouble in an all-important qualifier.
With Giorgio Chiellini injured, Ventura initially deployed his side with a back-three of Mateo Darmian, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. But it soon reverted to a back-four with Leonardo Spinazzola dropping deep into an attacking left-back role.
Surprisingly, Italy did not crowd the midfield and played a formation that looked like a 4-2-4. As a result, Marco Verratti and Daniele De Rossi were outnumbered in midfield as Spain played a 4-3-3 with a false nine allowing them to effectively play six midfielders.
Italy never saw the ball in the first half as Spain racked up a pass accuracy of 92% in the first half alone!
The Azzurri's last loss in qualifiers was way back in 2006. The last time they lost by such a huge margin was also against Spain (2012 Euro final).