Spain crush Liechtenstein in Lopetegui's competitive debut
La Roja won 8-0 in opening World Cup qualifying round match on Monday
Spain's Diego Costa celebrates his goal with teammates in World Cup qualifying round match against Liechtenstein on September 05/2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
MADRID:
Newly-appointed Spain coach Julien Lopetegui enjoyed a perfect competitive debut as Diego Costa, David Silva and Alvaro Morata all hit doubles in an 8-0 drubbing of Liechtenstein in Leon on Monday.
Costa scored his first Spain goal since 2014 after just 10 minutes, but despite complete domination of the game the hosts had to settle for just a one-goal lead at half-time.
The floodgates opened with three goals in five minutes after the break as Sergi Roberto and Vitolo tapped home their first international goals either side of David Silva's third.
Costa headed his second into the top corner before being replaced by Alvaro Morata, who hit a quickfire double of his own in the last 10 minutes.
Silva added an eighth in stoppage time to become Spain's fifth highest goalscorer of all-time behind Hierro, Raul, Fernando Torres and David Villa with his 28th international strike. "We reaped our rewards in the second-half for what we did right in the first-half," said Lopetegui. "I am happy. They are the first three points and it was important to start well."
A comprehensive win puts Spain top of Group G in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup ahead of Euro 2016 conquerors Italy on goal difference after the Azzurri won 3-1 in Israel.
"They are another three important points, (but) it is not decisive. It is just one match of 10 (in qualifying.)
"We have the hunger and desire for that match, but there is still a month to go."
Lopetegui made just two changes to the side that won impressively 2-0 in a friendly away to Belgium on Thursday with Costa and Sergi Roberto replacing the Real Madrid pair Morata and Dani Carvajal.
Costa ended his long wait for just a second international goal when he met Koke's excellent in-swinging free-kick to give Spain the perfect start. "I am participating much more in the play and when you participate more, the goals will come," said Costa.
The Chelsea striker had complained after the match against Belgium that he is too easily criticised for his Spain performances as a naturalised Brazilian.
However, he reeled back from those comments, describing the criticism he has received for his under-par displays at international level as "normal." "My teammates have been with me from the first day, the fans the same.
"The criticism is normal. When you play for the national team people always demand more."
Spain will now face Italy, who knocked them out of the Euro 2016 with 2-0 win in their next World Cup qualifying round match in Turin on October 6.
Newly-appointed Spain coach Julien Lopetegui enjoyed a perfect competitive debut as Diego Costa, David Silva and Alvaro Morata all hit doubles in an 8-0 drubbing of Liechtenstein in Leon on Monday.
Costa scored his first Spain goal since 2014 after just 10 minutes, but despite complete domination of the game the hosts had to settle for just a one-goal lead at half-time.
The floodgates opened with three goals in five minutes after the break as Sergi Roberto and Vitolo tapped home their first international goals either side of David Silva's third.
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Costa headed his second into the top corner before being replaced by Alvaro Morata, who hit a quickfire double of his own in the last 10 minutes.
Silva added an eighth in stoppage time to become Spain's fifth highest goalscorer of all-time behind Hierro, Raul, Fernando Torres and David Villa with his 28th international strike. "We reaped our rewards in the second-half for what we did right in the first-half," said Lopetegui. "I am happy. They are the first three points and it was important to start well."
A comprehensive win puts Spain top of Group G in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup ahead of Euro 2016 conquerors Italy on goal difference after the Azzurri won 3-1 in Israel.
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"They are another three important points, (but) it is not decisive. It is just one match of 10 (in qualifying.)
"We have the hunger and desire for that match, but there is still a month to go."
Lopetegui made just two changes to the side that won impressively 2-0 in a friendly away to Belgium on Thursday with Costa and Sergi Roberto replacing the Real Madrid pair Morata and Dani Carvajal.
Costa ended his long wait for just a second international goal when he met Koke's excellent in-swinging free-kick to give Spain the perfect start. "I am participating much more in the play and when you participate more, the goals will come," said Costa.
The Chelsea striker had complained after the match against Belgium that he is too easily criticised for his Spain performances as a naturalised Brazilian.
However, he reeled back from those comments, describing the criticism he has received for his under-par displays at international level as "normal." "My teammates have been with me from the first day, the fans the same.
"The criticism is normal. When you play for the national team people always demand more."
Spain will now face Italy, who knocked them out of the Euro 2016 with 2-0 win in their next World Cup qualifying round match in Turin on October 6.