MADRID, Sept. 2 -- The Spanish national football team took a huge step towards qualifying directly for next summer's World Cup finals when they defeated their main rivals Italy 3-0 in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday night.

The Spanish kicked off without a specialized central striker in their side, but gained in possession of the ball and opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Isco, playing in his home ground, scored a free kick, curling the ball over the Italian defensive wall following a foul on Marco Asensio.

The Italians had opted for a brave, 4-2-4 formation, but that merely allowed Spain to dominate possession and Isco doubled his tally for the night with a left foot shot five minutes before half time.

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui replaced Andres Iniesta with Alvaro Morata with just under 20 minutes remaining and Morata needed less than five minutes before he made it 3-0 to round off a night that leaves the Spanish three points clear of their qualifying group and with one foot on the plane to Russia.

The only disappointment for Spain were the boos directed at defender Gerard Pique during the first half of the game despite appeals for supporters in Madrid no to insult the Barcelona defender.

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