Spain coach Julen Lopetegui believes Isco is finally making his abundant talent count after scoring twice as La Roja thrashed Italy 3-0 on Saturday to close in on qualification for the World Cup
Spain's Isco celebrates after scoring the second goal vs Italy on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui believes Isco is finally making his abundant talent count after scoring twice as La Roja thrashed Italy 3-0 on Saturday to close in on qualification for the World Cup.
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His measured free-kick opened the scoring 13 minutes in at a packed Santiago Bernabeu before he doubled Spain's lead with a fierce strike on his weaker left foot just before half-time.
"Playing regularly, gaining important experience with his club and with us means that as a footballer he is growing. It is one thing to have quality and another to be a great player. Isco has always had quality and now he is becoming a great player," said Lopetegui.
Spain extend winning run
Spain's last loss in World Cup qualifying was in November 1993. Its unbeaten run now stands at 60 matches.
Wales beat Austria 1-0
Teenager Ben Woodburn enjoyed a dream international debut as he fired Wales to a 1-0 victory over Austria in Cardiff on Saturday to bolster their chances of reaching next year's World Cup. Woodburn, 17, drilled home the winner just four minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute to keep Wales unbeaten in qualifying and four points adrift of Group D leaders Serbia.