Spain 3 Albania 0: Isco stars as Julen Lopetegui’s side clinch World Cup place
ISCO inspired Spain to a win over Albania that sealed their World Cup place.
The loudest noises in the stands came from fans who booed every time Gerard Pique touched the ball - with some even cheering when he was elbowed.
But Isco netted one and laid on another, with strikes from Rodrigo and Thiago Alcantara helping them to a convincing 3-0 win at Estadio Jose Rico Perez.
With just a game to go, the win leaves the 2010 World Cup winners five points clear of Italy - who could only manage a 1-1 draw hosting Macedonia.
The early focus was on Pique as supporters heckled every touch from the defender following his threat to quit international duty over the Catalonia violence.
Rodrigo was the second player to draw noise from the stands after nodding wide a simple chance from Isco's cross.
But he made no mistake with a brilliant finish to open the scoring on 16 minutes.
Isco hooked a clever pass around the corner and the Brazil-born Valencia striker crashed in his maiden strike for La Roja.
The hosts threatened to run riot with Sergio Ramos heading a chance wide and David Silva dragging another off target.
But the Manchester City ace was helping Isco pull the strings and conjured with a clever pass to find Koke, who played in Isco to lash home a crisp finish from inside the box.
Debutant Alvaro Odriozola provided the third, with the Sociedad right-back hanging a ball in the air that allowed Thiago a thumping headed finish.
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Rodrigo could have scored more - heading over a good chance before the break and then being denied by Albania keeper Etrit Berisha after it.
Pique picked up a booking, meaning he will miss the final qualifier in Israel, and was subbed off for Nacho Fernandez on the hour-mark.
Albania had their chances to score in the final quarter with their substitutes looking menacing.
Armando Sadiku fired one effort off target and should have netted with his next one.
Fellow sub Liridon Latifi hammered a drive at David de Gea and the Manchester United stopper could only parry away.
Sadiku - who went down in Albanian folklore for scoring his nation's first goal at a major tournament with his winner against Romania at Euro 2016 - blazed over the rebound with only De Gea to beat.