Spain thrash Liechtenstein to take first step towards World Cup

Spain have got off to a swashbuckling start on the road to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In Julen Lopetegui's first competitive fixture in charge, La Roja cruised past Liechtenstein in Leon to claim their first three points and lay down an early marker in Group G of European qualifying.

Lopetegui's side controlled the game from the off and showed no signs of vulnerability at the back. Liechtenstein sat back and shut up shop, hoping to keep it tight, but only held out until the 10th minute, when Koke's superbly flighted free-kick was nodded home by Diego Costa to break the deadlock.

One might have expected the floodgates to open there and then, but in fact it was not until after the interval that Spain's utter dominance was reflected in the scoreline. Sergi Roberto made it 2-0 just 10 minutes after the restart and then a flurry of goals followed, with David Silva and Vitolo finding the net before Costa struck his second. The 2010 World Cup winners were well and truly in their groove by this point, leading their opponents a merry dance at times.

Alvaro Morata was introduced in place of Costa midway through the second half and wasted no time in making his mark, notching a brace of his own. The first of his two strikes was a powerful drive after devilishly turning a defender inside out, while the second came a mere minute later from Sergio Busquets's pass. Silva, one of the hosts' top performers throughout, rounded off the rout with the eighth and final goal in stoppage time.

All in all it was a highly promising showing on the night. Besides the comfortable victory and the fine football on display, another positive note was provided by Marco Asensio, who looked bright when brought on for his competitive international debut in the latter stages.