Spain rounded off their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign with a 1-0 win over Israel in Jerusalem.
La Roja had already booked their spot in next summer's tournament courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Albania on Friday, and a stunning effort from Asier Illarramendi saw them end Group G on a high.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the actions below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup qualification coverage continues from the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem as Israel welcome Spain in Group G. To be honest, there is not much to play for tonight, with Spain already booking their spot in the finals, and Israel sitting down in fourth position. That said, it should be an open and entertaining game! Stay tuned for live updates.
6.49pmTonight will be the sixth time that Israel and Spain have met in international football. Spain have won four of the previous five – including a 4-1 victory when the two teams met in the reserve match back in March. That said, the two nations played out a 1-1 draw when Spain travelled to Israel during qualification for the 2002 World Cup. This is far from a banker for the away side tonight.
6.52pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for tonight's match. Has Spain boss Julen Lopetegui rung the changes as expected? What about Israel – any familiar faces in their XI? Let's have a run through the two sides for this Group G clash...
6.55pmTEAMS!
ISRAEL: Harush; Davidzada, Ben Haim, Tibi, Keltjens; Kabha, Cohen, Natkho; Melikson, Hemed, Atar
SPAIN: Reina; Azpilicueta, Ramos, Nacho, Monreal; Busuqets, Illarra; Viera, Pedro, Asensio; Aduriz
6.58pmBrighton & Hove Albion forward Tomer Hemed leads the home side's line tonight, while former Chelsea, Manchester City and Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim wins his 96th cap at the age of 35. Former West Ham United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Yossi Benayoun starts on the bench, however, alongside Celtic's Nir Biton. Plenty of familiar names in the Israel side here.
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7.02pmAs for Spain, only captain Sergio Ramos remains from the side that started against Albania on Friday night, and the headline team news is that there is an international debut for Las Palmas attacker Jonathan Viera. Asier Illarramendi and Aritz Aduriz are also handed spots in the XI, as are Marco Asensio and Pedro in forward positions. Sergio Busquets will win his 100th Spain cap tonight.
7.05pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Jerusalem. I shall speak about Israel a little bit later, but let's start with Spain. As mentioned, La Roja booked their spot at the 2018 World Cup courtesy of a 3-0 win over Albania on Friday night.
7.08pm
100 - Sergio Busquets will be the 12th Spanish player to reach 100 caps 🇪🇸. Brain. pic.twitter.com/31tLtHxSP3
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 9, 2017
7.12pmThe victory over Albania alone was not enough for Spain to secure their spot at the finals ahead of this match, but second-placed Italy could only draw 1-1 at home to Macedonia, meaning that Julen Lopetegui's have a five-point advantage at the top with just one group game left. Whatever happens at the Teddy Stadium tonight, Spain will be in the finals of next summer's tournament, and there is every reason to believe that they will be among the favourites to lift the silverware once again.
7.15pmIn truth, it has been a very straightforward campaign for Spain. Lopetegui's team have won eight of their nine fixtures – scoring 35 times in the process and conceding just three. Since drawing 1-1 in Italy back in October 2016, La Roja have won all seven of their matches to storm to qualification.
7.18pmTonight will bring Spain's seventh qualifier of 2017. They started the year with a 4-1 win over Israel back in March, before beating Macedonia 2-1 in June. Then came a 3-0 success over Italy at the start of September, before putting eight goals past Liechtenstein. It was the 3-0 win over Italy that proved extremely important, and they beat Albania by the same scoreline on Friday night to ensure that tonight's match would not be a pressure fixture. Spain can play this match with no worries.
7.22pm
📷 ¡Recibiendo el cariño de la afición allá donde estemos! ¡GRACIAS! 😊#VamosEspaña 💪🏻🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/DhavNFnULw
— Selección Española (@SeFutbol) October 9, 2017
7.25pmSpain won the European Championships in both 2008 and 2012, in addition to lifting the 2010 World Cup during an incredible four years. There is no getting away from the fact that their recent tournament performances have been disappointing, however, after exiting the 2014 World Cup in the group stage, and only reaching the round of 2016 at Euro 2016 last summer.
7.28pmThe old guard is still very much in place, but Spain have whole host of exciting young players coming through, and they will be among the favourites to challenge for the World Cup trophy in Russia. Tonight is another example of the incredible options that Lopetegui has to choose form.
7.32pmAs for Israel, a total of 12 points has left them down in fourth position in Group G. They have actually won four of their nine matches, but five defeats has harmed them. Elisha Levy's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win in Liechtenstein on Friday night, but they lost four straight games to Spain, Albania, Macedonia and Italy between March 2017 and September 2017.
7.35pm
OFICIAL | XI de 🇮🇱:
— Selección Española (@SeFutbol) October 9, 2017
Harush; Keltjens, Tibi, Ben Haim, Davidzada; Natcho, Cohen, Kabha; Atar, Hemed y Melikson.#VamosEspaña 💪🏻🇪🇸
7.38pmThe Israeli side qualified for their only World Cup in 1970, where they were eliminated in the group stage after failing to win a match. It was always going to be difficult to finish either first or second in a group that included Spain and Italy, but victory tonight could see them jump above Albania into third.
7.42pmHere we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in Jerusalem. It must be said that there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium tonight, with the Israel supporters turning out in their numbers. Let's hope for an entertaining clash. Stay tuned for updates!
0 minKICKOFF! Spain kick things off here...
2 min... it must be said that the pitch looks in excellent condition tonight. No complaints there. Spain will enjoy passing on this surface, and it will suit the visitors. As expected, La Roja have taken control of the early possession as they look to move Israel's defensive unit out of position here.
4 minAsensio looks to find Pedro with a cute pass inside the Israel box, but Keltjens is on hand to make the clearance. The home side cannot get a touch of the ball in these early exchanges.
4 minSAVE! Israel goalkeeper Harush is across to keep out Asensio's strike.
6 minAzpilicueta and Monreal are almost playing as wide midfielders at the moment as Spain continue to dominate the ball. The former delivers from the right, but Ben Haim is on hand to make the clearance. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the early minutes here.
8 minViera floats a dangerous pass into the path of Pedro, but the ball just runs away from the Chelsea attacker at the final moment. Israel then break down the other end through Melikson, whose cross is deflected behind. The atmosphere inside this stadium is absolutely brilliant tonight.
10 minPass, pass, pass from Spain as they continue to dominate the ball. But Israel are starting to threaten on the counter-attack, and the noise levels rise when the home side manage to break.
11 minSmart defending from Ben Haim, who clears Azplicueta's low cross ahead of Aduriz.
13 minHalf-chance for the home side as Hemed and Cohen break either side of Atar, but the number 16 picks the wrong option, and Reina can collect. Really good chance for Israel to test Reina there.
16 minSpain continue to enjoy the majority of the ball, but Israel are very dangerous when they have the chance to counter-attack. A little more care in the final third would surely bring the home side some opportunities to make the breakthrough. Still goalless with 16 minutes on the clock.
18 minBusquets looks to find Asensio with a deep pass into the Israel box, but the Real Madrid attacker cannot control, allowing Israel to resume with their goalkeeper. Nice tempo to this match.
20 minCohen gets a little bit excited and decides to strike one from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still goalless with 20 minutes on the clock in Jerusalem.
22 minViera dinks a nice ball into the Israel box, but Harush manages to beat Illarramendi to the high ball, before Viera misses the target with another effort moments later. Just half-chances thus far here.
24 minPass, pass, pass from Spain, but Israel continue to defend their lines. We are still waiting for the first serious chance of this match, with the home side more than matching Spain at the moment.
26 minJust a reminder that Spain boss Lopetegui made 10 changes to his team tonight following the 3-0 win over Albania on Friday night. Only Ramos remains from the last match. Viera is making his Spain debut tonight, while Aduriz is leading the line with support from Pedro and Asensio.
27 minHarush keeps out a looping header from Aduriz. Comfortable save.
30 minThe crowd again stands as Atar finds a yard of space outside the Spain box, but the forward sends his effort well wide of the far post - it might well have been a cross. Israel continue to enjoy positive moments in this match, while Spain have had a lot of the ball without creating too much.
32 minIsrael continue to look extremely well organised as Spain are frustrated in the final third once again. The home side are sitting very deep when Spain have the ball, but they have very fast players on the counter-attack. The crowd become very excited when Israel break into Spain's half here.
33 minSAVE! Super save from Harush to keep out a long-range strike from Ramos!
36 minLittle under 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and the score is still goalless. It has been an entertaining match, however, with both teams contributing to the action. There is a nice tempo.
38 minBen Haim is fortunate to escape a booking after a really late challenge on Aduriz. Neither of those two were exactly flying across the turf! Aduriz, however, was just sharper to the loose ball.
38 minComfortable save for Reina to keep out Cohen's long-range effort.
39 minAsensio strikes one from distance, but his effort was always flying wide of the post.
41 minIsrael continue to play nice football in the middle third of the pitch, but they are just missing that final piece of quality in the final third. Cohen is the player breaking forward from midfield, but Hemed has not been too involved in the first 41 minutes. Still goalless in this Group G clash.
41 minNatcho misses the Spain goal from distance after decent work from Hemed in the final third.
43 minSensational noise inside the stadium at the moment as Israel continue to look dangerous on the counter-attack. Not too much from Spain as we approach the final stages of the first period.
43 minSAVE! Super save from the Israel goalkeeper, who denies Pedro from a one-on-one! The Chelsea attacker was sent through by Viera, but Harush won the battle!
44 minIsrael break down the other end and look to harm Spain when Atar delivers a low cross into the box, but Hemed cannot make contract, and Spain clear the resulting corner. Really good end to the half!
45+1 minHALF-TIME: Israel 0-0 Spain
8.32pmSo there we have it. The referee brings an entertaining first half to a close with Israel holding Spain to a goalless draw. Spain have had the best chance of the first period, but Pedro could not beat Harush from close range. No goals thus far, but the Group G clash has been full of entertainment!
8.37pmSTATS! Spain dominated the first-half possession with 62%, while they had eight attempts - five of which were on target. Israel, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their four attempts. No yellow cards to report - it has not been that type of match. The play has flowed very nicely indeed.
8.42pmBENCH WATCH! Israel have a certain Youssi Benayoun on their bench tonight, while Celtic midfielder Nir Biton is also available for the home side. As for Spain, head coach Lopetegui has an embarrassment of options, with Isco, Callejon, Rodrigo, Saul and Koke among those available.
46 minRESTART! Israel resume the action here...
46 min... SPAIN SUB! Aspas has replaced Ramos for Spain at the break.
48 minStrong start to the second period from Spain, who have already had the chance to deliver a couple of crosses into the Israel box. Viera then hits one from distance, but his effort was always too high.
50 minAsensio and Pedro are in the two wing-back roles for Spain at the moment, with Monreal slotting in alongside Nacho and Azpilicueta at centre-back. Israel have just had the chance to break down the right, and Hemed again came close with an effort from a narrow angle. Good from Israel again.
52 minEnd-to-end football in the last few minutes as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. I would be very surprised if this finished goalless tonight.
52 minBOOKING! Davidzada (Israel) is booked for a foul on Aspas.
54 minAsensio delivers a dangerous free kick into the Israel box, but Ben Haim is on hand to clear as Israel continue to resist the pressure. Still goalless with 54 minutes on the clock tonight.
55 minISRAEL SUB! Melikson is replaced by Ben Chaim for the home side.
57 minLittle over 30 minutes of this Group G clash remaining, and the game is short of quality at the moment as both teams cancel each other out. Spain have been very sloppy in the last few minutes, while Israel are struggling to keep the ball in the final third. Both teams have two subs remaining here.
60 minAsensio is struggling to get into the game in his wing-back position, and the Real Madrid attacker has also produced a couple of disappointing corners in the last few minutes. In truth, not too much is happening at the moment as Israel continue to hold strong in their defensive shape.
62 minThe first half was good even if there were no goals, but it has all turned very flat here.
64 minSpain are dominating the ball, but Israel are not being threatened. It would not be a surprise to see a change in the next few minutes in a bid to lift what has turned into a drab affair in Israel.
65 minCHANCE! Massive chance for the away side as Asensio delivers a low cross towards Aduriz, but the Bilbao forward somehow fails to make contact. What a miss!
66 minSPAIN SUB! Isco replaces Aduriz for Spain.
68 minStill goalless with little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Jerusalem. You still get the feeling that there is a goal in this game, however, with Spain just starting to force the issue here.
68 minISRAEL SUB! Bitton replaces Kabha for the home side.
70 minSpain have a free kick within shooting distance as Isco is felled by Natcho...
71 min... Isco strikes his free kick into the wall.
73 minSuper defending from Ben Haim as the Israel captain clears a dangerous cross from Asensio.
74 minISRAEL SUB! Benayoun replaces Atar for the home side.
75 minBenayoun's introduction brought possibly the biggest cheer of the night! Little over 15 minutes of this match remaining, and we are still waiting for the first goal. I still think that it will come.
76 minSPAIN SUB! Callejon replaces Pedro for Spain.
76 minGOAL! Israel 0-1 Spain (Illarramendi)
77 minOh my word! An absolute stunner from Illarramendi as he finds the bottom corner with a half-volley from distance! What a way to make the breakthrough. A wonderful, wonderful finish!
80 minIsrael are still very much in this game as we enter the final 10 minutes. Indeed, the home side's supporters are staying extremely vocal. You do get the feeling that there could be another goal here.
82 minPossession football for Spain as they attempt to draw some of the energy from Israel, who look prepared to end this game on a high. Still a good 10 minutes of football to play here.
84 minPass, pass, pass from Spain as they continue to keep the ball from Israel.
86 minSpain boss Lopetegui does not look happy on the sidelines. His team have struggled tonight, but it does appear that they will end their Group G campaign with another win. Israel have another half-chance as Cohen works a yard of space, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
89 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Asensio has the ball in the back of the net from close range, but the offside flag is raised. It was a wonderful passing move from Spain involving Isco.
90+1 minIsrael threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Spain just about clear their lines.
90+2 minWe are into the second of three additional minutes in Jerusalem.
90+3 minTime is just about up for Israel, and it does appear that Spain will collect another three points courtesy of that brilliant strike from Illarramendi. The referee's whistle is imminent here.
90+4 minFULL-TIME: Israel 0-1 Spain
9.35pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Spain beating Israel 1-0 in their final World Cup qualifier. It was not the best game, but Illarramendi's strike was special! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
