Former champions, Spain, have booked their spot at the 2018 World Cup courtesy of a 3-0 win over Albania in their penultimate Group G clash on Friday night.
La Roja entered the match three points clear of second-placed Italy, and with the Azzurri being held to a 1-1 draw by Macedonia, Julen Lopetegui’s side have secured their position in the finals with one match to spare.
Spain will travel to Israel on Monday for their final Group G clash as Italy, who are almost certain of a spot in the playoffs, finish away to Albania on the same night.
They thus join 11 other sides who have automatically booked their tickets for the Mundial.
In other games played on Friday, Tom Lawrence was the unlikely hero as Wales beat Georgia 1-0 while Austria stunned Serbia 3-2.
In Dublin, Daryl Muphy’s double was enough for Ireland to see off 10-man Moldova with Israel picking up an impressive victory away at Liechtenstein.
