Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Huelva pitted the reigning European champions Spain against Belarus.
The hosts were 2-0 ahead inside 19 minutes following quick-fire goals from Isco and Sergio Busquets.
La Roja had their third early in the second period through Pedro and that was how the scoring ended.
Read how the action unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the Group C clash below.
Hello all! Sports Mole's Euro 2016 qualification coverage continues from Spain this evening as the defending champions welcome Belarus to Huelva. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
SPAIN: Casillas; Juanfran, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Koke, Isco; Pedro, Alcacer, Cazorla
BELARUS: Zhevnov; Matveychik, Martynovich, Politevich, Yanushkevich, Balanovich; Dragun; Kalachev, Krivets, Nekhaychik; Kornilenko
So there we have it. A dislocated finger for David de Gea means that Iker Casillas starts in goal for the hosts this evening, while Gerard Pique returns to the centre of defence alongside Sergio Ramos. There are also places in the XI for Santi Cazorla and Isco, with Paco Alcacer selected as the lone striker.
Belarus, meanwhile, will seemingly line up in a 5-1-3-1 formation this evening, with Sergei Kornilenko, who has scored 15 times for his country, leading the attack. Timofei Kalachev will captain the visitors from midfield, while Stanislaw Drahun will operate just in front of his back four.
These two nations met during qualification for the 2006 World Cup, with Spain winning 4-0 away and 2-1 at home. However, it is a new experience for La Roja tonight as they play a competitive match at the Estadio Nuevo Colombino – the home of Real Club Recreativo de Huelva – for the first time.
Spain, who have won each of the last two European Championships, opened their Group C campaign with a 5-1 win over Macedonia, but Vicente del Bosque's side surprisingly lost to Slovakia in their second match. La Roja returned to form last time out, however, with a 4-0 win over Luxembourg.
As a result, six points from three matches has left Spain in second position, with Slovakia top on nine points and Ukraine third on six. The home side are still the overwhelming favourites to qualify as group winners, but there has been a little hangover from a disappointing 2014 World Cup.
Belarus, meanwhile, have taken just one point from their three games thus far, with that total leaving them second from bottom. They opened with a 1-1 draw away in Luxembourg, but then lost at home to Ukraine and Slovakia. In truth, it is a big ask for the away side this evening.
Belarus have never qualified for a World Cup or European Championship, but they lost just three times during qualification for the 2012 European Championships. They managed just one win, however, during the qualification process for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it difficult to make a case for Belarus this evening. Spain are missing a number of key players, but should have enough to claim all three points. I am not expecting a total walkover, but will back Spain to claim a 3-0 win.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. The national anthems were also beautifully observed. Let's hope for a cracker of a football game to match the atmosphere inside the stadium. Right, the home side get the first period underway.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, but a loose pass from Ramos does hand Belarus the chance to launch an early break. Good tempo to the early moments, with the visitors showing a willingness to commit numbers in attack.
Juanfran has been heavily involved for Spain thus far, with the right-back already threatening in a wide area. Isco bursts into life for the hosts just outside the box, but Dragun is across to clear the danger. It could be a long night for the visitors, who are camped outside their own box at the moment.
Half-chance for the home side as Juanfran floats a dangerous cross towards the far post, but there are no takers inside the box and eventually the danger is cleared. Juanfran is involved moments later after good work from Cazorla as the onslaught from the European champions continues.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Cazorla slides a pass into Pedro, who curls one towards the bottom corner, but his effort just moves wide of the post.
Belarus have a free kick in an advanced position as Ramos fells Kornilenko outside the box...
... Kornilenko takes the free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall. Belarus will not want to be wasting too many more opportunities of that ilk. They will not get too many.
Spain continue to force the issue in the final third, with Isco and Juanfran both heavily involved each time the home side gain possession of the ball. You just get the feeling that Belarus need to hold out for the opening 20 or so minutes here. Try and quieten the crowd and then build from there.
Cazorla quickens the pace in the final third before finding Pedro, but the Barcelona attacker cannot move past the challenge of Politevich, who has been solid at the heart of the Belarus defence.
Another half-chance for the home side as Juanfran - who else - drives down the right before finding Alcacer, but his effort is straight into the arms of Zhevnov, who collected with ease. Belarus are more than happy to sit in and absorb the pressure, but that is a dangerous tactic against Spain.
GOAL! Spain 1-0 Belarus (Isco)
Stunning, just stunning from Isco as the Real Madrid midfielder shifts the ball to one side outside the box before curling one into the top corner. Excellent from Isco.
GOAL! Spain 2-0 Belarus (Busquets)
Spain have their second as Busquets rattles one into the bottom corner after collecting a loose ball outside the box. That is just the Barcelona midfielder's second international goal.
Well, it was going fairly well for Belarus, but they are now quite probably out of this match.
It is damage limitation already for the visitors, but they are struggling to keep up with the pace at the moment. Spain are full of beans as they continue to pass and probe in the final third.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments due to a couple of late challenges. The latest free kick occurs when Martynovich fouls Isco, but the resulting set piece from Ramos is straight into the wall. Still 2-0 with 25 minutes on the clock here.
BOOKING! Busquets goes into the book for Spain for a late challenge on Nekhaychik.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but the home side remain in total control. Belarus just cannot get to grips with Juanfran, who continues to threaten down the right. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Spain are utterly dominant.
Martynovich seems to have a problem for the away side, but it appears that the defender will be fit to continue. Belarus only have 10 players on the field at the moment - not good news!
SUB! Belarus are forced into a change as Bordachev replaces Martynovich.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. It is almost too easy for the hosts, with Belarus not offering a single threat in the Spain half. Kornilenko has been so isolated thus far, which will have to change if they are to take something from this match.
Isco is running the show at the moment as the Real Madrid midfielder continues to show his ability in the final third. It would be fair to say that Spain's level has dropped, however, since the second went in. It is not much of a contest at the moment, with the home side in complete cruise control.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and it is more of the same - Spain in control of the possession and the away side chasing shadows. A goal for Belarus would be good for the neutral, but La Roja will want to secure all the points as soon as possible - another goal surely does that.
Belarus force their first corner of the match, which leads to a long-range attempt from Balanovich, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. A little better from Belarus.
Half-chance for Spain as Alba beats his full-back before delivering a cross towards the far post, but there are no takers in a red shirt. Isco keeps the attack alive, but Belarus have numbers behind the ball. A third for the hosts at this stage of the match could be curtains for the visitors.
CHANCE! Almost a third for Spain as Cazorla turns inside the Belarus box before rolling a low cross towards Alcacer, but Dragun is across to clear at the vital moment.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute.
BOOKINGS! Balanovich and Kalachev have both been booked for the away side after delaying the taking of a Spain free kick.
HALF-TIME: Spain 2-0 Belarus
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end, with Spain leading 2-0 courtesy of quick-fire goals from Isco and Busquets. In truth, the home side have been in complete control thus far, with Belarus struggling to contain the constant flow of attacks. Spain are on course for all three points.
STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 71%, while they have had five attempts - three of which have been on target. Belarus, however, have had just one attempt off target thus far. There has also been three yellow cards - Busquets, Balanovich and Kalachev.
BENCH WATCH! Spain have an embarrassment of riches on their bench this evening, with the likes of Callejon, Garcia, Morata, Bruno and Nolito all capable of making an impact. Belarus, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Gordejchuk, Aleksievich and Stasevic.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Is there any way the visitors can turn this one around? Belarus get the second 45 minutes of this European clash underway.
SUB! One change for Spain at the break, with Bruno replacing Busquets.
Spain have taken control of the possession in the early stages of the half, which is not much of a surprise. Belarus are sitting deep and attempting to absorb the danger, but they are already 2-0 down.
Isco has been at the forefront of everything for Spain this evening, with the Real Madrid midfielder in the best form of his career. Not too much to report in terms of chances in this half, however, despite Juanfran and Alba operating as wingers for Spain, leaving Ramos and Pique at the back.
Krivets attempts to get things going for the away side by sliding a pass beyond Pique, but Kornilenko cannot run away from the Barcelona centre-back. Belarus enjoy a rare passing sequence in the final third, but it comes to nothing, with Juanfran on hand to clear. Still 2-0 in this Euro 2016 qualifier.
Kornilenko has a half-chance for Belarus after meeting a loose ball inside the box, but his scuffed effort never threatened Casillas in the Spain goal. In truth, this half has been a non-event thus far.
Isco wants a penalty after feeling a tug on his back inside the box, but the referee is not interested. The home side have just upped the tempo in the last couple of minutes, with the crowd a little restless.
CROSSBAR! Spain come close to their third as Alcacer meets a cross from Pedro, but the striker's header clips the top of the crossbar before dropping behind for a goal kick.
GOAL! Spain 3-0 Belarus (Pedro)
Spain are not to be denied their third as Juanfran sets up Pedro, who curls one into the top corner from inside the box. Brilliant work from the full-back and an excellent finish once again.
Spain have just started to lift the tempo once again and the visitors are finding it difficult to contain flow after flow of attacks. Cazorla comes close to meeting a through pass from Alba, but Politevich is across to clear the danger. This could get a lot worse for Belarus in the remaining 30 minutes or so.
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Both teams have already made one change apiece, but all three are likely to be used in the remaining 30 minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with the home side comfortable in keeping possession. In truth, this match as a contest ended when Spain scored their second.
Decent spell for Belarus as Kornilenko finds some space in the final third before delivering into the Spain box, but there are no takers and the danger is cleared. Belarus are still waiting for their first attempt on target and there are no signs that one is on its way. Still 2-0 to the hosts here.
Kalachev appears to have a problem for Belarus following an aerial challenge with Alba.
SUB! Belarus make their second change as Kornilenko is replaced by Signevich.
Belarus threaten in the final third as Kalachev drives into the Spain box, but Bruno is across to make a brilliant challenge. The visitors then have two corners in quick succession, but the danger is cleared.
SUB! Spain make their second change as Callejon replaces Cazorla.
Belarus force their fourth corner of the match following more good work in the final third, but Ramos rises unchallenged to clear the danger. The game has been more open in the last couple of minutes, with stoppages harming Spain's tempo. Can Belarus gain a consolation here?
Possession football from the home side as they continue to keep the ball in the final third, without really threatening to add a fourth. I backed 3-0 in my prediction and that is looking good!
Both managers have one permitted change remaining and both are expected to exercise that option in the remaining 15 minutes or so. In truth, not much as happened in the second period aside from Pedro's goal. Spain have been in control, but clear chances have been very much at a premium.
Krivets tries his luck for the visitors after finding some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Still no attempt on target for Belarus.
Pedro attempts the spectacular for the home side, but his scissor-kick goes away from the goal! Alba gives his Barcelona teammate a right earful having been in a good position at the far post.
Finally an attempt on goal for the away side as Nekhaychik strikes a tame effort at Casillas.
SUBS! Both sides make their third and final changes. Kislyak enters for Belarus in place of Krivets, before Morata replaces the excellent Isco for the home side.
In fairness to Belarus, they have attempted to raise their own game in the last 15 minutes or so, but that is due to Spain's own level dropping. Little over five minutes of this European clash to play.
Half-chance for the home side to score a third as Alcacer meets a cross from Juanfran, but his header just moved wide of the post. It hasn't quite happened for the Valencia forward this evening.
Callejon attempts to make something happen for the home side after collecting possession outside the box, but the Napoli attacker cannot find the run of Juanfran, who has been up and down all night. I shouldn't think there will be too much injury time added as we approach the 90-minute mark in Huelva.
POST! Pedro hits the beans on toast after spinning inside the box and firing one towards the far corner. So close to goal number four for the home side.
Another half-chance for the home side as Morata spins inside the box before rolling a beautiful cross towards Alcacer, but the striker cannot connect. We are into the first of three added minutes.
Half-chance for the away side as Nekhaychik meets a loose ball inside the Spain box, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner. Good end from Belarus.
BOOKING! Bordachev is booked for a rash challenge on Pedro.
FULL-TIME: Spain 3-0 Belarus
So there we have it. Job done for Spain as the European champions continue their Group C campaign with a 3-0 win over Belarus. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
