Group G leaders Spain welcomed Israel to Gijon on Friday night for their 2018 World Cup qualification fixture.
The home side took a 2-0 lead into the half-time break courtesy of goals from David Silva and Vitolo.
Diego Costa then scored Spain's third early in the second period to wrap up all three points, although Israel had a consolation late on through Lior Refaelov, before Isco netted a fourth for the hosts.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup qualification coverage continues from Gijon as Spain welcome Israel in Group G. Spain are currently top of the section on 10 points, but Israel sit just one point below La Roja in third position and will be looking for an upset at the Estadio Municipal El Molinon tonight. Be sure to stay tuned for what should be an entertaining international fixture!
6.49pmTonight will be just the fifth time that Spain and Israel have met in an international match. Their first two clashes came during qualification for Euro 2000, and Spain won 2-1 in Israel before recording a 3-0 victory on home soil. They also met in qualification for the 2002 World Cup - Spain winning the home match 2-0, but being forced to share the points in a 1-1 draw in Israel.
6.52pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Gijon. There will be plenty of familiar faces on show tonight, and it should be an open and entertaining fixture. Let's have a look at the two XIs that will start this international clash...
6.55pmTEAMS!
SPAIN: De Gea; Carvajal, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Thiago; Silva, Costa, Vitolo
ISRAEL: Marciano; Dasa, Tzedek, Tibi, Gershon; Cohen, Natcho, Einbinder, Refaelov, Zahavi; Ben Haim II
6.58pmIt is a familiar Spain XI tonight, with Diego Costa, as expected, leading the line for the home side. Vitolo and David Silva will join the Chelsea striker in the final third, while there is also a start for Andres Iniesta despite the Barcelona midfielder's injury problems this season. Sergio Ramos will win his 141st cap at the heart of a defence that also includes Gerard Pique, Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba. Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Asier Illarramendi – both in the senior squad for the first time – are on the bench.
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7.02pmAs for Israel, the top scorer in their squad - Brighton & Hove Albion's Tomer Hemed - is only on the bench for the visitors. The central striking position has gone to Maccabi Tel Aviv's Tal Ben Haim II, while Guangzhou midfielder Eran Zahavi skippers Israel once again. There are also positions in the XI for Gent defender Rami Gershon and Club Brugge's Lior Refaelov, while Hibernian goalkeeper Ofir Marciano will win his 11th cap between the sticks. Some familiar faces in the away side's XI!
7.05pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Gijon. I shall speak about Israel a little bit later, but let's start with the hosts Spain. As it stands, La Roja sit top of Group G on 10 points, but they are level on points with second-place Italy and indeed just one point above third-place Israel, who have impressed thus far.
7.08pmNot since 1974 have Spain failed to qualify for the finals of a World Cup, but they went out in the group stage of the 2014 competition, four years after triumphing in South Africa. It has been a disappointing couple of years for Spain considering that they also went out in the last-16 stage of Euro 2016, but Julen Lopetegui's side will be among those expected to challenge in Russia.
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7.12pmSpain's last international fixture was a friendly against England last November, which ended in a 2-2 draw. They also have a friendly against France next Tuesday, but tonight is all about Group G as La Roja look to consolidate first position in the table. Indeed, any slip from the home side tonight would allow Italy, who host Albania and should triumph, to move to the top of the section.
7.15pmSpain's first Group G fixture ended in an 8-0 win over Liechtenstein on September 5, before the former world champions picked up a point in a 1-1 draw away to Italy on October 6. Spain have won their last two without conceding, however, following a 2-0 success in Albania with a 4-0 home win over Macedonia on November 12. They are the massive favourites to make it three wins in a row tonight.
7.18pmAs mentioned, Spain will travel to France for a friendly next week, but their next World Cup qualifier after this one is in Macedonia on June 11. In truth, it would be a major surprise if Spain did not make it through this particular section, but Italy will be there or there abouts, while Israel have placed themselves in a strong position after four matches, and will be looking to impress tonight.
7.22pm
12 - Spain 🇪🇸 are unbeaten in their 12 last qualifiers games for European Cup and World Cup (11W 1D). Tendency pic.twitter.com/alzJKUf96W
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 23, 2017
7.25pmSpeaking of Israel, Elisha Levy's team are bidding to qualify for their first World Cup since 1970, when they were eliminated in the group stage of the competition. They have actually never qualified for the finals of a European Championship, but won the Asian Cup in 1964 and have also been finalists on two separate occasions. A win tonight would leave the supporters dreaming!
7.28pmIsrael's Group G campaign started with a 3-1 home defeat to Italy on September 5, but they responded with a 2-1 victory in Macedonia, before beating Liechtenstein 2-1 on home soil three days later. Their most impressive result came last time out, however, as they recorded a 3-1 win in Albania to leave them with nine points from four fixtures, which is currently good enough for third spot.
7.32pmIf Italy fail to beat Albania tonight and Israel record all three points here, Levy's side would move to the top of the section. It is going to be tough to finish above both Spain and Italy in Group G, but Israel have a number of talented players and have already proved that they can compete at this level.
7.35pmTomer Hemed (pictured below) has scored 10 Championship goals for Brighton this season, while the 29-year-old has netted 15 times in 27 appearances for Israel, and is indeed the top scorer in their squad. The centre-forward is only on the bench tonight, however, with Ben Haim II being handed the striking position. Celtic's Nir Bitton is also among the substitutes for the away side here.
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7.38pmIn terms of what is ahead for Israel, they will welcome Moldova for a friendly on June 5, before hosting Albania in their next 2018 World Cup qualifier. They will then host Macedonia and travel to Italy at the start of September. It is not against the realms of all possibilities that the Blue and Whites could find a route to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but it is a very tough proposition.
7.42pmHere we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of action. I fancy Spain to collect all the points tonight, although the home side might need to be patient against an Israel team that are expected to sit deep for long spells. Here's to a good game!
0 minKICKOFF! Spain kick things off on home soil...
2 min... not quite a full house inside the stadium tonight, but there is a good atmosphere, and the home supporters will be looking for a strong performance from their team. Tonight's referee is Premier League official Michael Oliver, who sent off Spain's Ander Herrera for Man United earlier this month!
2 minSHOT! De Gea has to drop down and keep out a low strike from Zahavi.
4 minIt has been a very open start to proceedings in Gijon, with both teams having their moments in the opening four minutes of action. Both sets of supporters remain in fine voice, meanwhile.
6 minCROSSBAR! Spain come close to making the breakthrough as Thiago rattles one towards the top corner, but his effort smashes against the crossbar. Marciano actually appeared to get a touch on the ball, but referee Michael Oliver pointed for an Israel goal-kick.
7 minCHANCE! A mistake from Pique allows Zahavi a run on the Spain goal, but the number seven is squeezed out at the final moment and his effort was always wide of the post.
10 minPlenty happening in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. As expected, Spain are having more of the ball, but Israel look very dangerous when they have the chance to move through the gears. High-tempo opening 10 minutes to this Group G contest.
12 minIt will be interesting to see when referee Michael Oliver decides to produce the first yellow card of the night because there have been some late challenges in the last few minutes. It is brewing here!
13 minGOAL! Spain 1-0 Israel (Silva)
14 minSpain make the breakthrough in the 13th minute of this match as Alba threads a super pass into Silva, and the attacker turns inside the box before smashing the ball through Marciano's legs!
16 minSpain are absolutely purring at the moment as the likes of Silva, Vitolo and Iniesta continue to combine down the left. Alba is also playing with plenty of confidence, which has not been the case for Barcelona in recent weeks. Israel cannot seem to clear their lines at the moment here.
17 minIsrael might be forced into a change here as Tibi remains on the deck following a late challenge.
19 minISRAEL SUB! Indeed the change is made as Twatha replaces Tibi, who has been stretched off the field. It does not look good for the tall central defender here.
21 minIsrael would have wanted to keep things tight in the opening 20, 25 minutes here. However, they are a goal down and have now lost a key defender, which is hardly great news. Spain, meanwhile, continue to pass and probe in the final third as they seek to double their advantage in Gijon.
23 minHalf-chance for Spain as Silva finds a cute pass into Iniesta, but the midfielder's effort was wide of the post. Israel just cannot seem to deal with the little exchanges in the final third of the field.
25 minSpain are dominating the ball, but Israel have shown that they can cause problems tonight, and the visitors will still be confident of upsetting this La Roja defence. The problem, however, is that Spain look capable of scoring four or five times tonight due to the pace of their movement.
25 minCLOSE! Zahavi's long-range effort just bounces wide of De Gea's post.
28 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with the offside flag stopping a couple of Spain attacks. Costa is seeing plenty of the ball for the home side as he continues to come short and drop in behind, which is causing so many problems for Israel.
30 minSome of the football from Spain tonight has been absolutely wonderful to watch. Israel are just about hanging in there in terms of this match, but a second goal would make things very tough for the visitors. The movement in the home side's XI has been absolutely incredible in Gijon.
32 minStoppage in play once again as Ben Haim receives some treatment after twisting his ankle.
34 minBen Haim is back on his feet, and the number 12 will be able to continue here. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Silva's goal continues to separate the two teams.
36 minIt has been quite a bitty last 10 minutes in Gijon, with the referee forced to intervene following some late challenges, which have led to periods of treatment. The home supporters are not too pleased with what they perceive to be some time-wasting tactics from the Israel team tonight.
38 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes as Israel continue to resist Spain, who have been a little sloppy in the final third in recent attacks. You just get the feeling that Israel cannot afford to concede a second goal in the final moments of this first period.
40 minA wonderful Iniesta ball finds Vitolo inside the Israel box, but the winger cannot make proper connection on the cross and Marciano is on hand to collect. Carvajal was actually in a better position to attack the ball, but the right-back clearly did not shout loud enough there.
43 minNot an awful lot happening at the moment as Israel continue to resist Spain's pressure.
44 minSAVE! Super save from De Gea as the Spain goalkeeper keeps out a close-range header from Refaelov, who had met a cross from Gershon. Excellent work from De Gea!
45 min+1GOAL! Spain 2-0 Israel (Vitolo)
45 min+2Oh my word. Spain score their second in stoppage time at the end of the first period, and it comes from an awful mistake from the Israel goalkeeper. Vitolo's low effort lacked any sort of power, but it somehow found a route past the hand of Marciano. Only he knows how that happened!
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Spain 2-0 Israel
8.33pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Spain leading Israel 2-0 courtesy of goals from Silva and Vitolo. Israel have had their moments in what has been an open 45 minutes, but the home side are closing on their third straight win in Group G.
8.38pmBENCH WATCH! Spain have an embarrassment of riches on their bench tonight, with the likes of Isco, Aspas, Herrera, Morata, Koke and Martinez all available. As for Israel, the visitors have already been forced into a defensive change - Twatha for Tibi - but Celtic's Nir Bitton and Brighton forward Tomer Hemed are options for head coach Levy. Surely he has to make an attacking change here.
8.43pm
3 - No player has scored more goals for Spanish national team than @21LVA in this World Cup Qualifiers. Accurate pic.twitter.com/LrLt8psFw1
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 24, 2017
46 minRESTART! Israel resume the action in Gijon...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, but you suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace. Israel have a lot to do tonight.
48 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Spain to make it 3-0 as Carvajal finds Costa with a super cross from the right, but the Chelsea striker heads wide of the post. Should score!
49 minThiago threatens to score an own goal as the ball hits the Bayern midfielder inside his own box, but De Gea is on hand to make the save. Israel are certainly still in this football match tonight.
51 minGOAL! Spain 3-0 Israel (Costa)
52 minGame, set and match. Spain have their third as Costa rises highest inside the box to head a corner past Marciano from close range. Again, it was really poor goalkeeping from the Israel stopper!
54 minIsrael have managed some decent results in Group G thus far, but they have struggled to match Spain tonight, and La Roja now look certain to keep hold of first position in the section. Italy still lead Albania, but they will remain in second spot if Spain collect all the points from this match.
55 minIsrael are preparing to make their second change early in the second period here.
57 minThe Mexican wave is currently taking place inside the stadium, which is an indication of just how comfortable Spain are at the moment. Israel are really struggling to see any sort of possession.
58 minPOST! Costa sets up Silva with a brilliant header and the Man City attacker should make it 4-0, but his effort crashes off the post following another sensational Spain move.
60 minISRAEL SUB! Israel make their second change as Einbinder is replaced by Keltjens.
63 minWe are entering the stage of the match where Spain boss Julen Lopetegui will be considering changes as he looks to asses different options moving forward. The talent on Spain's bench tonight is just outrageous - players that would get in the first XI of the majority of international sides.
64 minSPAIN SUB! Koke replaces Thiago in Spain's first change.
64 minIsrael are going to be forced into another change here as Ben Haim goes down and stays there.
64 minISRAEL SUB! Hemed replaces Ben Haim.
66 minPossession football from Spain as they look to draw Israel out of their deep shape here.
68 minGroup G's other fixture tonight between Albania and Italy appears to have been abandoned due to crowd trouble, which is awful to see. Italy were leading 1-0 when play was suspended there.
69 minGreat news - Italy and Albania is back underway. It has all calmed down there.
70 minNot an awful lot to report in the last few moments as Spain keep hold of the ball without really threatening to score more goals. It has been very comfortable for the home side tonight, especially since the second goal went in before the break. Another Spain change is on the way here...
71 min... SPAIN SUB! Isco replaces Iniesta for the home side.
73 minLittle over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and Spain continue to dominate the ball. Israel have had bits and pieces on the counter-attack tonight, although they have often been wasteful when it comes to that final pass. I still fancy at least one more goal in this contest.
75 minSpain still have one permitted change tonight, and it would be a big surprise if we did not see Lopetegui use his full complement of substitutions. I fancy Morata to replace Costa here.
76 minGOAL! Spain 3-1 Israel (Refaelov)
77 minWow! Israel have a goal back here as Refaelov smashes the ball into the top corner after Gershon's header from a set piece had hit the post. That is a wonderful goal from the visitors!
77 minBOOKING! Dasa (Israel) is booked for a poor tackle on Busquets.
80 minSometimes international fixtures are quite full, but this has been a brilliant game of football. Spain deserve to be ahead and indeed deserve to collect all the points, but Israel have shown that they are a threat in the final third and are sure to collect plenty more points in this particular section.
82 minStill just the two changes for Spain tonight, and there is no movement on the bench.
84 minCHANCE! Spain should have a fourth as Silva breaks through before sliding a low cross towards Vitolo, but the pace of the cross is just too strong and the chance evaporates!
84 minSPAIN SUB! Aspas replaces Vitolo for the home side.
86 minLittle under five minutes of this Group G clash remaining in Gijon.
88 minPossession football from Spain as they continue to pass and probe in their own half of the field. Israel can be pretty content with their overall performance tonight despite the defeat.
88 minGOAL! Spain 4-1 Israel (Isco)
89 minIsco threads the ball into the bottom corner for Spain's fourth of the night.
90 min+1We are into the first of three additional minutes in Gijon.
90 min+3Pass, pass, pass from Spain as they look to score a fifth before the night is out, but time is running out and referee Michael Oliver is very close to blowing the full-time whistle in Gijon.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Spain 4-1 Israel
9.38pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Spain consolidating first position in Group G courtesy of a 4-1 win over Israel in Gijon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live international coverage once again, and be sure to check back in soon!
