Spain began their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign with a Group G clash against Liechtenstein in Leon.
The home side dominated possession in the first 45 minutes, but only had one goal to show for their efforts - a 10th-minute header from Diego Costa.
The floodgates opened in the second period, however, as efforts from Sergi Roberto, David Silva (2), Vitolo, a second from Costa and a brace from Alvaro Morata made it a thumping start for Julen Lopetegui's side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's 2018 World Cup qualification coverage continues from Leon as Spain face Liechtenstein in Group G. To suggest that Spain are the favourites tonight would be the understatement of the century and then some, but there is still a job to do for La Roja as new boss Julen Lopetegui makes his competitive debut as head coach. Stay with me over the next few hours for all the action from Leon!
Tonight will actually be the seventh time that Spain and Liechtenstein have met in international football. Their first clash was during qualification for the 2002 World Cup, when Spain recorded a 5-0 victory. Since then, they have won 2-0, 4-0, 2-0, 4-0 and 6-0, the latest of which came in September 2011. As you can see, Liechtenstein have never scored an international goal against La Roja.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from this Group G clash. We have the Spain XI, but just waiting on the final confirmation for the visitors. Very secretive indeed!
TEAMS!
ESP: De Gea; Roberto, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Koke, Thiago; Vitolo, Costa, Silva
LIECHTENSTEIN: Jehle; Rechsteiner, Polverino, Kaufmann, Goppel; Salanovic, Martin Buchel, Wieser, Marcel Buchel, Burgmeier; Hasler
Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has made two changes to the team that started the Belgium friendly last week - Sergi Roberto and Diego Costa taking the places of Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Morata, who both drop to the bench. There is another start for Vitolo in the final third, while Thiago and Koke once again join Sergio Busquets in the middle of the park. Sergio Ramos skippers the team once again.
As for Liechtenstein, it does appear that the visitors will line up in a 4-5-1 formation tonight. The vastly experienced goalkeeper Peter Jehle will captain the team on his 121st cap, while Franz Burgmeier will earn his 101st cap from a wide midfield position. Reading's Sandro Wieser also starts, while Empoli's Marcel Buchel is expected to support Nicolas Hasler in the final third of the field.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm and pleasant evening in Leon. I shall speak about Liechtenstein a little bit later, but let's start with the home team Spain - now under the management of a certain Lopetegui, who replaced Vicente del Bosque following what was a disappointing Euro 2016 for the former world champions.
Spain might have won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 during a golden period, but they went out in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup and lost to Italy in the round of 16 at Euro 2016. Two disappointing tournaments have seen them drop to eighth in the FIFA rankings, but is this really just the eighth best team in the world right now? Not for me. Still top three.
Indeed, Spain were back to their very best on Thursday night as David Silva scored twice in a 2-0 victory over Belgium. All of the talk pre-match was about Lopetegui and Roberto Martinez making their managerial debuts, but Belgium did not turn up and it was Spain that recorded a very impressive win. It was as good as La Roja have been since that golden period not so long ago.
Despite the disappointment of the 2014 World Cup, Spain were still seen among the favourites for success at Euro 2016 and they breezed into the finals before being drawn alongside Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia in the group stage. They beat Czech Republic and Turkey, but lost to Croatia in their final match, which saw La Roja finish second and draw Italy in the round of 16.
In truth, Spain were second best against the Italians, who recorded a 2-0 victory to book their spot in the quarter-finals. Spain did not want Del Bosque to leave despite the disappointment, but the experienced boss decided to walk away from the position and Lopetegui was the man chosen to lead a new era. Talk of the golden period being over, in my opinion, is very premature indeed.
In terms of what is ahead for Spain, they will take on Italy and Albania – both away – in two tough qualifiers next month, before hosting Macedonia on November 12 and facing England in a friendly on November 15. Battling Spain in Group G will be Albania, Macedonia, Israel, Italy and Liechtenstein.
Speaking of Liechtenstein, the minnows, who are ranked 182 in the FIFA world rankings, have finished last in nine of their 11 qualification campaigns for major tournaments. They did not enter the qualification process between 1930 and 1994, but have been an active member since Euro 1996.
It will not come as a surprise to learn that they have never qualified for a major tournament, but they did manage to finish fifth, rather than bottom, of their qualification campaign for Euro 2016 after winning once. That sole victory came against Moldova in November 2014 in what was their last competitive success. In truth, it is going to be very, very tough for Liechstenstein to keep the score down tonight.
They have also taken some heavy defeats over the last 12 months or so – suffering a 5-0 loss to Austria and 7-0 to Russia. Each of their last three international matches have been friendlies and they have also all ended in defeats – 3-2 to the Faroe Islands, 4-0 to Iceland and 5-0 to Denmark.
The individual tasked with upsetting Spain tonight is 52-year-old Rene Pauritsch, who has been in charge of the Liechtenstein national team since 2013. The Austrian has taken charge of 29 matches as head coach and his record reads won two, drawn five and lost 22, which represents a win percentage of just under 7%. It is a tough gig without being disrespectable to the European nation.
National anthems, check. Pre-match handshakes, check. Exchange of flags, check. Cracking atmosphere inside the stadium and kickoff is now just moments away in Leon!
KICKOFF! Spain get the first period underway in Leon...
... as expected, Spain have taken immediate control of the possession on home soil. The visitors will be lucky if they can see 25% of the ball in tonight's match. That is not being disrespectful, just realistic as to the size of the task facing them here. It could be a really, really long night.
Spain are hunting in packs at the moment as they regain possession seconds after losing the ball. You just get the feeling that Liechtenstein need to get through the first 10, 15 minutes without conceding in order to build their confidence. The last thing they need is a real hiding tonight.
Spain cut through the Liechtenstein midfield and Thiago slides a through pass into Koke, but Goppel is across at the vital moment to make the challenge. The visitors are so, so deep here.
Well, Spain are having all of the ball, but the home side have not yet registered a shot on goal, which is great news for Liechtenstein and their goalkeeper Peter Jehle, who is very experienced. It is the type of match, however, that could quickly develop from 1-0 to 4-0. You get that sense.
Let me paint the picture. Defence against attack here. Liechtenstein have nine blue shirts outside their own box while Spain pass and probe. That has been on repeat in the opening 10 minutes here.
GOAL! Spain 1-0 Liechtenstein (Costa)
Spain make the breakthrough in the 10th minute of this match as Diego Costa heads a Koke free kick into the corner of the net for just his second international goal. Spain lead in Leon.
BOOKING! Kaufmann (Liechtenstein) is booked for a poor challenge on Silva.
Silva races clear for Spain as the home side threaten once again, but the attacker just cannot feed a pass into Costa, who was brilliant against Belgium on Thursday and looks in the mood tonight. Fifteen minutes on the clock and it is already proving to be a very difficult task for the visitors here.
Alba has the chance to deliver just outside the away side's box, but he takes too long and Salanovic is on hand to make the block. Spain cannot afford to showboat, the job is not complete yet.
Hasler is leading the line for Liechtenstein tonight and what that means is that the number 18 is the only player in a blue shirt ahead of the ball. The other nine outfield players are defending the box!
Kaufmann is a touch fortunate as he smashes the ball against Costa and it bounces behind for a goal kick - that could have gone anywhere. Spain come again though as they pass and pass here.
Very interesting to see Roberto at right-back for Spain tonight. He has started the season as Barcelona's first-choice right-back and it appears that he will now be considered in that position for both club and country. Ramos hits a diagonal towards the midfielder-turned-defender, but it bounces out.
Half-chance for the home side as Silva delivers an inviting ball into the Liechtenstein box, but Kaufmann does well to clear ahead of Costa, who looked favourite to make contact.
BOOKING! Polverino (Liechtenstein) is booked for a late challenge on Costa.
Vitolo breaks down the right for Spain before delivering another low cross into the box, but once again the away side defend it well and manage to clear their lines. Vitolo was impressive against Belgium on Thursday and the Sevilla attacker has been very dangerous tonight. Still 1-0 Spain.
Spain might be leading here, but they have not exactly been impressive. In fact, they have not really had an opportunity of note since making the breakthrough. Lopetegui does not look too pleased.
Costa is once again the target as Roberto whips a cross into the Liechtenstein box, but it had too much weight and another decent chance comes and goes. Still nothing from the away side here.
Pin-ball inside the away side's box as Spain threaten again, but the ball is scrambled clear. Spain are not taking too much care with their final pass at the moment and Lopetegui is very frustrated.
Salanovic manages to break forward for the home side and the number 19 can deliver from a wide position, but Ramos is across to make the challenge. Imagine if Lichtenstein could actually score - it would be their first ever goal against Spain and in truth, the home side have really taken their foot off the gas.
Burgmeier has a problem for the visitors as he goes down holding his thigh.
You have to worry for Liechtenstein in the second period when considering how much work they have put into the opening 39 minutes here. Yes they have restricted Spain to few chances and yes they can be delighted with their performance. But can they maintain this level for another half of football?
Super delivery from Thiago as the Bayern midfielder looks for Ramos at the far post, but Goppel is across to make the clearance. A scramble then sees Vitolo and Busquets both have efforts, but somehow, courtesy of a couple of goal-line blocks, the ball is cleared! Should have been 2-0 there.
It has not been a great half from Spain despite their one-goal lead in Leon.
CHANCE! Costa should do better as he meets a super cross from Vitolo. The striker makes good contact, but his header is wide of the post. Spain are creating openings now.
Just the one added minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Spain 1-0 Liechtenstein
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Spain leading 1-0 courtesy of a 10th-minute header from Costa, who met a super free kick from Koke. The home side might be leading, but they have been very disappointing in the final third. Liechtenstein have hardly been out their own half, although the visitors have not exactly been riding their luck in terms of keeping the score down.
STATISTICS! Spain have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have only had three attempts and one of those brought the only goal of the match. As for Liechtenstein, they have had one attempt, but it did not test David de Gea. Two bookings for the visitors - Kaufmann and Polverino.
BENCH WATCH! Lopetegui might well look to his bench at the break and the Spain boss has the likes of Alvaro Morata, Paco Alcacer, Juan Mata, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vasquez and Nolito in reserve. Liechtenstein, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Andreas Christen and Simon Kuhne.
RESTART! Liechtenstein resume the action in Leon...
... SPAIN SUB! Nolito has replaced Thiago for the home side.
Spain have almost gone to a 3-3-3-1 formation now. Vitolo does brilliantly to lose his full-back in a wide position, but the winger's cross is gathered impressively by the away side's goalkeeper Jehle.
CHANCE! Silva sits the goalkeeper down as Spain threaten once again, but Jehle does brilliantly to make a last-ditch challenge and Liechtenstein manage to scramble the ball clear!
Spain continue to work the ball in the final third of the field, but the away side just keep making the right decisions at the back and it remains 1-0 with 51 minutes on the clock in this Group G clash.
BOOKING! Hasler (Liechtenstein) is booked for a poor challenge on Busquets.
POST! Koke hits a brilliant free kick from distance, but his effort hits the post!
If Spain can score a second in the next five minutes or so, that could easily become 3-0 or 4-0 before the end of the night. As it stands, Spain might be winning, but this is not good enough.
GOAL! Spain 2-0 Liechtenstein (Roberto)
Spain finally score their second in the 55th minute of this match as Roberto bursts into the away side's box before poking the ball home from close range. Super finish from the full-back there!
Spain are really putting the pressure on now as Nolito tests the goalkeeper with an effort from distance and you just get the feeling that more goals will arrive before the end of the night here.
GOAL! Spain 3-0 Liechtenstein (Silva)
Number three for Spain here as Silva turns a low Vitolo cross into the back of the net from close range. The home side are absolutely dominating now and this could get very, very ugly!
GOAL! Spain 4-0 Liechtenstein (Vitolo)
Now four for Spain as Costa finds Vitolo and the Sevilla winger cannot miss from inside the box. It is absolutely raining goals now and you have to feel for the visitors, who have fallen apart.
Still around 30 minutes left in Leon and Spain are just not giving the away side a moment to breathe. They are passing and probing and everything is just so much quicker in this second period.
CHANCE! Costa fires wide from inside the Liechtenstein box.
Half-chance for the home side once again as the ball is presented to Busquets outside the box, but his effort is well wide of the target. Spain have come out to play in this second period.
GOAL! Spain 5-0 Liechtenstein (Costa)
Number five for Spain as Costa heads home at the second time of asking after his initial effort was kept out by the away side's goalkeeper. Where on earth did the Liechtenstein defence go there!
SPAIN SUB! Morata replaces Costa for the home side.
LIECHTENSTEIN SUB! Yildiz replaces Rechsteiner for the away side.
Little over 15 minutes of this Group G clash remaining and it must be said that Spain have been much, much better in the second period. The visitors managed to keep the score down in the opening half, but the floodgates have opened since the break and I still think that there are more goals to come.
Half-chance for Spain as Morata meets a cross from a wide position, but his header was always dropping wide of the post. The home side are almost playing with one defender at the moment.
BOOKING! Yildiz (Liechtenstein) is booked for a pull on Morata.
Ramos misses the crossbar with a free kick from 25 yards out.
LIECHTENSTEIN SUB! Salanovic is replaced by Sandro Wolfinger.
The away side are all over the place at the back and Nolito decides to strike one from distance, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Spain are preparing their final change here.
SPAIN SUB! Asensio replaces Vitolo, who has been excellent tonight.
Just a reminder that Spain's next qualifier is away to Italy next month and that will be a real test for La Roja after losing to the Italians in the last-16 stage of Euro 2016. Spain continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, but not too much to report in terms of clear chances here.
GOAL! Spain 6-0 Liechtenstein (Morata)
It is number six for Spain as Morata finds space in a wide position before somehow squeezing the ball through the arms of the away side's goalkeeper. Really should be saving that one.
GOAL! Spain 7-0 Liechtenstein (Morata)
Another horror moment for the goalkeeper as Morata finds a route past Jehle for his second.
Spain have been excellent in the second period, but Liechtenstein have fallen apart and that was always going to be the worry after they put so much into the first half. It is 7-0 Spain here.
POST! Silva hits the post from close range as Spain continue to threaten.
Much better from Jehle as the away side's goalkeeper manages to deny Morata from close range, but he made two absolute howlers to allow the Real Madrid striker to score a quick-fire brace.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Silva has the ball in the back of the net for 8-0, but the linesman has his flag raised and the goal is disallowed. Not sure about that one!
GOAL! Spain 8-0 Liechtenstein (Silva)
Eight for Spain as Silva fires home from inside the box after a super set-up from Nolito.
FULL-TIME: Spain 8-0 Liechtenstein
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Spain running out 8-0 winners following an incredible second-half performance, which saw them score seven. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to look out for the match report, which will be live in a few moments!
