Moise Kean scored twice in Italy's 5-0 over Lithuania as Pablo Fornals and Ferran Torres scored in either half to earn a 2-0 win for Spain in Kosovo.
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Italy registered their first win since lifting the Euro 2020 trophy by thrashing Lithuania 5-0 in the World Cup qualifying Group C match on Wednesday. Youngster Moise Kean scored twice on either side of Edgaras Utku’s own goal while Giacomo Raspadori also netted for the home side. It was the first time the Azzurri, who had to settle for two draws against Bulgaria and Switzerland in their previous two qualifiers, had ever scored four goals in the first 30 minutes. Giovanni De Lorenzo added a fifth in the second half to complete the drubbing. Meanwhile, Spain beat Kosovo 2-0 to take the lead in Group B.
Italy tops the group with 14 points from six games, six points ahead of second-placed Switzerland following its goalless draw at Northern Ireland. Lithuania remained bottom with zero points.
Within 11 minutes of kick-off, Kean pounced on a sloppy back pass to tuck in the opener from close range. Three minutes later, Raspadori’s shot deflected off Utku and went inside the Lithuania goal.
Raspadori, who was handed his first international start by Roberto Mancini soon justified his selection as he netted with a simple finish from close range. And then Kean made it 4-0 with a volley into the top corner in the 29th minute.
Italy continued to attack as Raspadori had his second goal disallowed for offside before Di Lorenzo’s cross-shot ended up inside the goal.
Meanwhile, in Belfast, Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell made a first-half penalty save from Haris Seferovic to keep the scoreline at 0-0 and earn a point. The result helped Ian Baraclough’s side to third spot, ahead of Bulgaria on goal difference.
A first-half cracker from Pablo Fornals and a late strike from Ferran Torres fired Spain to victory in Kosovo.
It was Kosovo who started positively as Elba Rashini’s shot from outside the box went just wide. However, after the initial phase, Spain quickly settled in and started controlling the game. After the half-hour mark, Carlos Soler played the pass to Morata, who then fed the ball to Fornals to smash it in at the near post.
Both Soler and Morata had chances to extend the lead after the break, with the former striking a free-kick that forced a save from Kosovo goalkeeper Muric, followed by Morata heading wide from the subsequent corner.
At the other end, the home side should have equalized after Inigo Martinez’s mistake allowed Vedat Muriqi a free run at goal but the Lazio striker fired his shot wide. Meanwhile, Ferran Torres sealed the three points for Luis Enrique’s side with a late strike that was confirmed after the VAR check.
In Athens, Sweden lost 2-1 to Greece that allowed Spain to take a four-point lead at the top of the table, although with two matches in hand for the Swedes.
