“Being in Turin is emotional for me because I spent a large part of my life here”, he added. It’s a World Cup qualifier and it all builds to what we want to achieve in a year and a half. I expect this impressive streak to continue. “It’s a different Spain to the past”, Ventura said. Up against the team that had knocked them out of Euro 2016 and ended their era of dominance once and for all In Paris late last June, La Roja were looking to prove a point. Romania, meanwhile, travel to Armenia in search of their first success of the campaign, after Nicolae Stanciu missed a penalty that would have enabled them to collect all three points in their opening match with Montenegro (1-1). Manchester City midfielder David Silva has also been in fine form of late, and while Sergio Busquets has somewhat struggled for Barcelona, he remains one of the best holding midfielders in the world.
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Spain continued to dominate possession and created a glut of clear-cut chances.
Italy got back on level terms when Ramos tripped Eder and referee Filx Brych pointed to the spot.
Turkey fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Ukraine.
With only the group winners progressing automatically to the finals in Russian Federation, that means Italy and Spain’s direct encounters take on special importance.
When Spain did take the lead shortly after the break it owed more to a rare howler from Gianluigi Buffon than their build-up play. “He’s not a machine and that can happen”.
De Rossi stepped up to the ball with an arrogant swagger that belied the pressure on the penalty kick and nonchalantly rolled the ball into the left corner, sending David de Gea the wrong way. Sigurdsson hit a post with another shot a few minutes later and the hosts looked like having a miserable night as goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky made a string of good saves.
Italy looked to have stolen a late victor, after Andrea Belotti turned the ball home, but the linesman correctly flagged Immobile for offside in the build up.
Alessio Romagnoli took up his place alongside Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, and Italy’s altered defense did well to withstand the Spanish onslaught as the Azzurri spent the majority of the first period entrenched in its own half. That day, when the anthem sounds and the players listen attentively in their signature blue strips, something really does start every four years.
Who do you think will win this match, HollywoodLifers?
Although Spain has lacked a government for 10 months, investors are now more concerned about the political backdrop in Italy, before a December 4 vote that could unseat Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Fox Sports Go also streams live on the Amazon Fire TV and Roku set-top devices, allowing fans to watch the Italy vs. Spain Group G World Cup Qualifier stream live online on their TV sets.
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Three Bayern Munich stars are in action during Thursday’s World Cup Qualifiers around the world.
