Group G leaders Albania welcomed Spain to Shkoder on Sunday night for their 2018 World Cup qualification clash.
Spain utterly dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes, but could not make the breakthrough as the score remained goalless at the interval.
Spain opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second period through Diego Costa, however, before Nolito effectively sealed the points with the away side's second just past the hour mark.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup qualification coverage continues from Shkoder as Albania welcome Spain in what is shaping up to be a very competitive Group G. Indeed, Albania actually lead the section as things stand having won both of their group matches thus far, while Spain sit second having recorded one win and one draw. Should be an interesting game tonight!
Tonight will be the sixth clash between these two nations in international football. It will not come as much of a surprise to learn that Spain have won each of the previous five, but they have not locked horns since September 1993 - Spain recording a 5-1 win during qualification for the 1994 World Cup.
Spain also recorded a 9-0 win over Albania in December 1990, while their first trip to Albania ended in a 2-1 victory in December 1986. There will be no 9-0s or 8-0s tonight though, with Albania much improved in recent years. If Spain are to lead the group after three matches, they will have to collect all the points in Shkoder, which sets us up for an entertaining night of football here.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Both sides were in action on Thursday night. Has either manager shuffled his pack, or is it more of the same?
TEAMS!
ALB: Berisha; Hysaj, Mavraj, Xhimshiti, Agolli; Lila, Memushaj, Xhaka; Lenjani, Balaj, Roshi
ESP: De Gea; Ramos, Pique, Monreal; Iniesta, Busquets, Koke, Thiago; Silva, Costa, Vitolo
Albania boss Gianni De Biasi has shuffled his pack following the 2-0 win over Liechtenstein last time out, with Taulant Xhaka, Andi Lila, Ermir Lenjani and the skipper Ansi Agolli among those coming into the XI. Bekim Balaj will lead the line once again, while Odise Roshi features in a wide position. A very experienced team also sees Napoli's Elseid Hysaj start in the right-back spot.
As for Spain, head coach Julen Lopetegui appears to have switched to a 3-4-3 formation, with Nacho Monreal starting at centre-back alongside Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos. Thiago also comes into the team as Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba both drop out. It is the same front three as against Italy, however, with Diego Costa supported by Vitolo and David Silva in the wide positions.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in this Group G clash. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Spain, who drew 1-1 with Italy on Thursday night to move onto four points in the section. That draw in Torino last time out followed an 8-0 win at home to Liechtenstein in their group opener last month.
It would be a big surprise of Spain, now under the leadership of Julen Lopetegui, failed to make it through this section, but only the winner of each of the nine groups is guaranteed a spot in the 2018 World Cup finals. All being well, Spain will top the group, but Italy and Albania will certainly have something to say about that and the importance of tonight's match cannot be down-played.
Spain lifted the 2010 World Cup during a golden period under Vicente del Bosque, but they failed to make it out of the group stages in the 2014 competition in Brazil. It was also a fairly underwhelming Euro 2016 for La Roja, who lost to Italy in the round of 16. Spain are actually facing the task of having to prove themselves all over again after a disappointing couple of tournaments.
Defeat to Croatia and Italy at Euro 2016 means that Spain have actually only won one of their last four competitive internationals. That was an 8-0 success over Liechtenstein in their group opener last month, but they were held to a 1-1 draw in Italy on Thursday night after Daniele de Rossi's late penalty cancelled out an early second-half effort from Vitolo, who keeps his spot in the XI tonight.
In terms of what is ahead for Spain, they will host Macedonia in their fourth group match next month, before travelling to England for a friendly on November 15. They are then not back in action until next March, when they host Israel. On paper, Spain will fancy their chances of qualifying from Group G, but there are some very, very tricky matches to come, starting with tonight.
As for Albania, they will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 win in Liechtenstein on Thursday night. That result followed a 2-1 victory over Macedonia in their group opener last month, meaning that Albania sit top of the section on six points - two points clear of second-place Spain. Indeed, a win tonight would lead them nicely into another home match against Israel next month.
Albania have actually never qualified for the finals of a World Cup and have finished second from bottom in their last two qualification campaigns. Their first ever appearance in a major international competition came at Euro 2016, when they bowed out in the group stages on three points after winning one and losing two of their three fixtures. They actually almost made it through to the round of 16.
Highly-rated Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj starts for Albania tonight...
Indeed, Albania's 1-0 win over Romania at Euro 2016 was their first ever victory in a major competition. It might have been a short stay in France, but they showed that they can compete at that level of football and there are now some very talented players in the squad. Make no mistake, Gianni De Biasi's side will be challenging Italy and Spain for top spot in this group. Kickoff is just around the corner now!
TEAMS!
ALB: Berisha; Hysaj, Mavraj, Xhimshiti, Agolli; Lila, Memushaj, Xhaka; Lenjani, Balaj, Roshi
ESP: De Gea; Ramos, Pique, Monreal; Iniesta, Busquets, Koke, Thiago; Silva, Costa, Vitolo
Here we go then. The national anthems have been sung and the flags have been exchanged. Suppose it is time for the football then! Stay tuned as first welcomes second in Group G.
KICKOFF! Spain kick things off tonight...
... Spain are unbeaten in their last 55 World Cup qualifiers, which is a staggering record. As expected, the visitors have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes here.
Pretty fierce atmosphere inside the stadium tonight as the home supporters boo Spain, who are in white, as they pass and probe in the Albania half of the field. You just get the feeling that the first goal here - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Albania have already dropped deep on home soil.
Well, Koke is not playing right-back for Spain tonight. It had been suggested that the Atletico Madrid midfielder would be asked to drop into the full-back position, but it is a back three with Pique, Ramos and Monreal, while Busquets is just floating around. Who needs a right-back anyway!
Spain continue to utterly dominate the ball as they pass and probe in the Albania half of the field, but the visitors have not yet tested Berisha between the sticks. A deep free kick from Koke threatens to cause problems inside the Albania box, but Marvaj is up to make the clearance.
Pique brings a long ball down inside the Albania box before firing just wide of the far post, but the centre-back was penalised for handball. Not sure about the marking from the home side there.
Better from Albania in the last couple of minutes as they manage to cause some problems on the counter-attack, but De Gea remains untested between the sticks. Not much to report thus far!
SAVE! Spain look certain to score following a beautiful move, but Albania goalkeeper Berisha is on hand to make a wonderful save to keep out Koke's low effort!
All Spain here as they continue to move the ball in the final third, although Albania look dangerous when they are given the chance to break. Interesting tactical battle developing in this match.
Ramos has actually found himself in the right-back position in the last couple of minutes and it does appear that the Real Madrid captain is playing more right then centre at the moment. Not too much of a surprise - he did start his Sevilla career in that role. Busquets is very deep, meanwhile.
Albania will be pretty happy playing this way as long as the score remains goalless, but they will have a real problem if Spain make the breakthrough. Total domination from the visitors here.
SAVE! Vitolo curls a beautiful effort towards the bottom corner of the net, but Berisha is across to make the save. That is a seriously good save from the Albania goalkeeper!
Another half-chance for the away side as Vitolo looks to pick out Costa with a deep header, but the Albania goalkeeper is quick off his line to claim and take the pressure off his team. Down the other end, De Gea has set up a little picnic and is watching an episode of X-Factor. He's that comfortable.
Spain are too slick for Albania at the moment as they continue to dominate this football match. That said, the only important statistic sees the score level at 0-0. The home supporters remain in good voice and that will be the case until Spain open the scoring. Twenty-three minutes on the clock.
BOOKING! Thiago (Spain) is booked for a late challenge on Hysaj.
It is almost like a training exercise for Spain as Albania camp on the edge of their own box and ask the visitors to pass through them. It is very difficult to play in this shape for a full 90 minutes.
Finally Albania threaten as Roshi finds space in a wide area before delivering towards the far post, but Pique is on hand to clear ahead of Balaj. That is much better work from the home side here.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Shokder and despite Spain's domination, we remain level at 0-0 and that would be enough to keep Albania above Spain in the table. That said, as things stand, Italy, who currently lead Macedonia 1-0, would move to the top of the section.
If Albania have serious ambitions of finishing first or second in this group, these are the type of matches that they cannot afford to lose. A draw would be a brilliant result for the home side here.
CHANCE! Costa goes to attack a cross from Ramos, but the striker pulls out under pressure and Albania escape another dangerous moment. Needed to be braver there!
Pass, pass, pass from Spain as they continue to work space in the final third. Vitolo looks to release Koke following what seemed like 100 passes, but Berisha is very quick off his line to claim.
Roshi sends a volley wide of the post after a super cross from Memushaj.
Various flares have been let off inside the stadium, which means that smoke is currently drifting across the pitch. Never good to see these type of actions, but they always seem to occur. More of the same on the pitch as Spain pass, pass, pass, but Albania are prepared to defend, defend, defend.
You just get the feeling that Albania will need to score the first goal tonight if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. The only thing missing from Spain's performance is a goal!
Spain have played some wonderful football in this first period, but it is never easy to break down a team that absolutely crowd their own penalty box. The home supporters continue to back their team and it remains goalless with 43 minutes of this Group G clash on the clock in Shkoder.
Koke delivers a deep free kick towards Pique, but Lila is on hand to make the clearance as Albania face more pressure in the final stages of the first period. Can they hold on before the break?!
Heroic clearance from Mavraj as Albania come under serious pressure!
Just the one additional minute to be played and Albania really, really need the break.
BOOKING! Agolli (Albania) is booked for dissent.
HALF-TIME: Albania 0-0 Spain
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the score level at 0-0. Spain have absolutely dominated matters on Shkoder, but have been unable to find a route past Albanian goalkeeper Berisha, who has made a couple of super saves. No idea how this game is still level!
STATISTICS! Spain dominated the first-half possession (73%), while they had six attempts - two of which were on target and two of which brought super saves from Berisha. Albania, meanwhile, have only had one attempt and that was a weak volley from Roshi which was always wide of the post.
BENCH WATCH! Albania have a number of attacking options on their bench tonight, with the likes of Cani, Basha and Hyka all capable of making a difference in the second period. Spain, meanwhile, could call upon Isco, Callejon, Herrera, Lucas, Morata or Nolito in what is a talent-filled bench.
Been a half to forget for Costa though!
RESTART! Albania resume the action on home soil...
... ALBANIA SUB! Half-time change for Albania as Aliji replaces Lenjani.
No changes for Spain at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, you suspect that head coach Lopetegui has alterations in mind and could look to his bench if the score remains goalless for the next 15, 20 minutes here. Surely, surely Spain are going to make the breakthrough.
Comfortable save for Berisha as the Albanian goalkeeper keeps out Pique's weak header. Strong start to the second period from Spain as they continue to put the pressure on the home side.
Another half-chance for Spain as Silva works some space outside the Albania box, but his low strike was always wide of the post. Still plenty of time for Spain to make the breakthrough here.
The home supporters certainly do a good job of creating an atmosphere inside this stadium and Albania do seem to be feeding off the energy from the crowd. Spain continue to dominate possession of the ball, but it is not as if Berisha is having to make save after save in this game.
GOAL! Albania 0-1 Spain (Costa)
Spain make the breakthrough in the 55th minute of this match after a terrible mistake from the Albanian goalkeeper! Berisha's loose clearance falls straight to Vitolo and the midfielder finds Silva, who slips in Costa and the Chelsea striker was never going to miss from close range!
At 0-0, Albania's gameplan was working. However, that Costa goal has completely changed this match and the home side will need to start pressing players forward if they are to stand any chance of levelling the scores. Spain, on the other hand, will be looking for a killer second goal here.
SPAIN SUB! Nolito replaces Vitolo for Spain.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Albania are seeing more of the ball in Spain's half of the field. Still around 30 minutes of this World Cup qualifier to play here.
GOAL! Albania 0-2 Spain (Nolito)
Spain have their second of the night and surely secure all the points as Nolito dances into the Albania box before finding the bottom corner with a clever finish. Should be game over now!
Albania continue to see more of the ball, but they are two goals behind and it is going to take a minor miracle for the hosts to turn this one around in the final 25 minutes or so tonight.
ALBANIA SUB! Basha replaces Memushaj for the home side.
BOOKING! Mavraj (Albania) is booked for fouling Costa.
Half-chance for Spain as Ramos meets a free kick from Koke, but his header is straight at Berisha, whose terrible mistake allowed the visitors to make the breakthrough in the 55th minute.
Very comfortable for Spain at the moment as the simply keep hold of the possession in the Albania half of the field. In truth, the visitors have been the better side from the first whistle and certainly deserve to be ahead at this stage of events. Albania just have not offered anything in the final third.
ALBANIA SUB! Xhaka is replaced by Hyka for the home side.
SPAIN SUB! Iniesta, who is applauded off, is replaced by Isco.
Ramos looks to have a problem for Spain after going down following a challenge with Mavraj. There did not seem to be too much in it, but the captain does not look comfortable here.
SPAIN SUB! Inigo Martinez replaces Ramos for the visitors.
No Spain debut for Ander Herrera then! The Manchester United man will have to wait to feature for his nation and will hope that he is included in Julen Lopetegui's next squad next month.
I expected Spain to win tonight, but I did not expect Albania to be this poor in the final third. Sure Spain have been impressive, but they have just not been tested at any point in this match.
As it stands, Albania would remain second in the group due to Italy drawing 2-2 with Macedonia entering the latter stages of that match. What a blow that would be for the Italians!
Spain have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Djimsiti fouls Nolito...
... Silva's free kick misses the top of the crossbar.
Three additional minutes at the end of the 90 here.
Spain's passing tonight has been an absolute joy to behold. Albania are being passed into submission as we approach the full-time whistle which Albania desperately need!
FULL-TIME: Albania 0-2 Spain
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Spain recording all the points courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win. As a result, La Roja have risen to the top of Group G. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to join us again tomorrow for more live international coverage!
