International

Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino helped Spain edge closer to World Cup qualification with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Georgia.

The pair started in midfield for La Roya, as goals from Yeremy Pino and a free-kick from Mikel Oyarzabal handed Spain victory at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, Elche.

Zubi was substituted after 81 minutes for Aleix Garcia, with Mikel playing the full 90. Goalkeeper David Raya was an unused substitute.

Elsewhere, Riccardo Calafiori played the full match as Italy downed Estonia 3-1 in Tallinn. 

After seeing Norway defeat Israel 5-0 earlier in the day, Italy responded in style thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori. This was Riccardo's 11th cap for Italy, as he played in a back three alongside Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alessandro Bastoni.

what it means

The third victory for Spain in the qualifiers sees them sit top of Group E with nine points and a superior goal difference. Turkey defeated Bulgaria 6-1 in the other group match, leaving the nation three points behind the European champions. Spain host Bulgaria in Valladolid next...